Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
@michaelphart1.bsky.social
Neuroscientist and geneticist @PennGenetics and @PennMedicine. Our lab studies plasticity of neuronal circuits and behavior in C. elegans. www.mphartlab.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:51 AM
2025 was⦠something. But time closing it out on the slopes with family has me smiling and optimistic for 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 12:48 AM
2025 was⦠something. But time closing it out on the slopes with family has me smiling and optimistic for 2026!
And together with work from Serena Ding on variation of the behavior in wild C elegans isolate strains, completes a survey of social feeding in our favorite nematodes! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Natural variation in Caenorhabditis elegans collective behavior reveals potential adaptation to novel environments
Recent advances in quantitative approaches to behavior have enabled rigorous trait measurements that allow us to understand how behavior evolves in multiple taxa([1][1]β[7][2]). However, placing these...
www.biorxiv.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
And together with work from Serena Ding on variation of the behavior in wild C elegans isolate strains, completes a survey of social feeding in our favorite nematodes! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
This new work gives broader context for @maracowen.bsky.social's paper on social feeding and conserved autism genes in C. elegans!
rdcu.be/eQMoB
rdcu.be/eQMoB
Conserved autism-associated genes tune social feeding behavior in C. elegans
Nature Communications - C. elegans aggregate in large clumps during feeding. Here, the authors find conserved autism-associated genes mediate distinct molecular and circuit signaling components...
rdcu.be
November 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This new work gives broader context for @maracowen.bsky.social's paper on social feeding and conserved autism genes in C. elegans!
rdcu.be/eQMoB
rdcu.be/eQMoB
A fun evolution and behavior project initiated by a summer undergrad Reina Eugene (PGSIP intern!) with Dustin Haskell - Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes @penngenetics.bsky.social @ecol-evol.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes
Different species of roundworms (nematodes) are frequently found together in the wild and can aggregate in groups while feeding. We find that different species of worms display a range of feeding beh...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A fun evolution and behavior project initiated by a summer undergrad Reina Eugene (PGSIP intern!) with Dustin Haskell - Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes @penngenetics.bsky.social @ecol-evol.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Amazing!! Should blow it up and frame it!!
October 30, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Amazing!! Should blow it up and frame it!!
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
In the October issue of #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues report #Celegans mutant analysis that identified conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/ZrxH4rM
October 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
In the October issue of #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues report #Celegans mutant analysis that identified conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/ZrxH4rM
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
In #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues performed a mutant screen in #Celegans to identify conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/f5UYogl
October 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues performed a mutant screen in #Celegans to identify conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/f5UYogl
Also thrilled to continue an awesome collaboration with
@camarapg.bsky.social (@penngenetics.bsky.social) using the #CAJAL algorithm to analyze >1000 DVB neuron reconstructions from the screen!! (original CAJAL paper = doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39424-2)
@camarapg.bsky.social (@penngenetics.bsky.social) using the #CAJAL algorithm to analyze >1000 DVB neuron reconstructions from the screen!! (original CAJAL paper = doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39424-2)
CAJAL enables analysis and integration of single-cell morphological data using metric geometry - Nature Communications
Cell morphology is one of the most described phenotypes in biology, yet systematic quantification and classification of morphology remains limited. Here, the authors present a computational approach f...
doi.org
August 13, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Also thrilled to continue an awesome collaboration with
@camarapg.bsky.social (@penngenetics.bsky.social) using the #CAJAL algorithm to analyze >1000 DVB neuron reconstructions from the screen!! (original CAJAL paper = doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39424-2)
@camarapg.bsky.social (@penngenetics.bsky.social) using the #CAJAL algorithm to analyze >1000 DVB neuron reconstructions from the screen!! (original CAJAL paper = doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39424-2)
Stay tuned for follow-up mechanistic work exploring H4K20 methylation as a regulator of neuron remodeling involving set-4 (KMT5B), and a bunch of conserved synaptic genes!!
August 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Stay tuned for follow-up mechanistic work exploring H4K20 methylation as a regulator of neuron remodeling involving set-4 (KMT5B), and a bunch of conserved synaptic genes!!
Do you like neuronal #plasticity? #genetics? #Celegans? Check out 1st installment of work by Kristi Zoga in the lab. Kristi screened 20 conserved #autism genes for roles in experience-dependent #neuron remodeling and a related behavior.
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
Multiple autism genes influence GABA neuron remodeling via distinct developmental trajectories
Abstract. Variation in over 100 genes are now associated with increased risk for autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, but how this variation r
doi.org
August 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Do you like neuronal #plasticity? #genetics? #Celegans? Check out 1st installment of work by Kristi Zoga in the lab. Kristi screened 20 conserved #autism genes for roles in experience-dependent #neuron remodeling and a related behavior.
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
Awesome, excited to see it @ethanewe.bsky.social !!
August 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Awesome, excited to see it @ethanewe.bsky.social !!
This all checks out. As a donor, the endless fundraising texts and emails I receive after donating make me donate LESS!!! Figure out a better way to not piss off unit supporters @housedemocrats.bsky.social
The annoying spam texts destroying the Democratic brand:
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isnβt just treating donors like marksβitβs being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isnβt just treating donors like marksβitβs being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
The Mothership Vortex: An Investigation Into the Firm at the Heart of the Democratic Spam Machine
How a single consulting firm extracted $282 million from a network of spam PACs while delivering just $11 million to actual campaigns.
open.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This all checks out. As a donor, the endless fundraising texts and emails I receive after donating make me donate LESS!!! Figure out a better way to not piss off unit supporters @housedemocrats.bsky.social
π Check out the full paper:
www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltex...
π’ Read the Science coverage:
www.science.org/content/arti...
π Excited to keep pushing this conversation forward!
www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltex...
π’ Read the Science coverage:
www.science.org/content/arti...
π Excited to keep pushing this conversation forward!
www.cell.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
π Check out the full paper:
www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltex...
π’ Read the Science coverage:
www.science.org/content/arti...
π Excited to keep pushing this conversation forward!
www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltex...
π’ Read the Science coverage:
www.science.org/content/arti...
π Excited to keep pushing this conversation forward!
Feature article on latest work from @tdrivas.bsky.social Genetic testing of critically ill adults yields surprisesβand reveals disparities in treatment of Black patients | Science www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Feature article on latest work from @tdrivas.bsky.social Genetic testing of critically ill adults yields surprisesβand reveals disparities in treatment of Black patients | Science www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
We're asking YOU to run for office and we're partnering with the best of the best to make it happen: Pipeline Fund, LEAD NC, Annie's List, Texas Leadership Pipeline, Instituto, Run for Something, and National Democratic Training Committee.
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
July 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
We're asking YOU to run for office and we're partnering with the best of the best to make it happen: Pipeline Fund, LEAD NC, Annie's List, Texas Leadership Pipeline, Instituto, Run for Something, and National Democratic Training Committee.
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
The White House's proposed FY26 budget would cut NIH funding by >40%. Our new #SCIMaP report projects the budget would lead to economic losses throughout the US with $10M+ lost in almost every House district.
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
scienceimpacts.org
June 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The White House's proposed FY26 budget would cut NIH funding by >40%. Our new #SCIMaP report projects the budget would lead to economic losses throughout the US with $10M+ lost in almost every House district.
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
(5/5)
π¨ Itβs time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now itβs our turn.
π Read the Bethesda Declaration
βοΈ Sign the Public Letter of Support
π―ββοΈFollow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here π www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
π¨ Itβs time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now itβs our turn.
π Read the Bethesda Declaration
βοΈ Sign the Public Letter of Support
π―ββοΈFollow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here π www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
(5/5)
π¨ Itβs time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now itβs our turn.
π Read the Bethesda Declaration
βοΈ Sign the Public Letter of Support
π―ββοΈFollow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here π www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
π¨ Itβs time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now itβs our turn.
π Read the Bethesda Declaration
βοΈ Sign the Public Letter of Support
π―ββοΈFollow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here π www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Another scoop from Jeff Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social): NSF's ~1400 grant terminations have disproportionately affected PIs from groups underrepresented in science: women, racial & ethnic minorities, & those with disabilities. 1/3
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Devastated by the loss of my amazing friend and colleague Laura Grafe (@grafelab.bsky.social, Bryn Mawr). She was beautiful, brilliant, and bursting with life! Her love and light burned so bright, it will forever be with everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Rest In Peace @pennngg.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Devastated by the loss of my amazing friend and colleague Laura Grafe (@grafelab.bsky.social, Bryn Mawr). She was beautiful, brilliant, and bursting with life! Her love and light burned so bright, it will forever be with everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Rest In Peace @pennngg.bsky.social
Beyond excited to host @dacolon.bsky.social today for the Distinguished Seminar Series at @pennmedicine.bsky.social @penngenetics.bsky.social!! Come see a terrific talk at noon!
May 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Beyond excited to host @dacolon.bsky.social today for the Distinguished Seminar Series at @pennmedicine.bsky.social @penngenetics.bsky.social!! Come see a terrific talk at noon!
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
RFK pushes to find 'environmental' cause of autism, calls rising rates an 'epidemic'
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
www.npr.org
April 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
Ire isn't the right word... he is wrong and is stigmatizing 1 in ~40 children. 'Kennedy called research into the genetic factors in whether a child will develop autism βa dead end.β βGenes donβt cause epidemics,β he said. βYou need an environmental toxin.β" www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
RFK Jr. Calls Autism βPreventable,β Drawing Ire From Researchers
The health secretary said he would prioritize studies into environmental causes while harshly discounting other factors scientists say are likely contributing to rising rates of the condition.
www.nytimes.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Ire isn't the right word... he is wrong and is stigmatizing 1 in ~40 children. 'Kennedy called research into the genetic factors in whether a child will develop autism βa dead end.β βGenes donβt cause epidemics,β he said. βYou need an environmental toxin.β" www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
Reposted by Michael P Hart π³οΈβπ (he/him)
"After nearly five hours, he and his wife were released. They are now pursuing legal action.
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
βTreated like a criminal': US citizen says he was detained returning from Canada
Bachir Atallah, a real estate attorney from New Hampshire, says he and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were stopped crossing from Canada into Vermont
www.nbcboston.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:05 PM
"After nearly five hours, he and his wife were released. They are now pursuing legal action.
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
So excited to host @singhvilabglia.bsky.social (One of my favorite scientists to spend time with!!) tomorrow for the @pennngg.bsky.social and MINS seminar!! Come learn about glia!!
April 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
So excited to host @singhvilabglia.bsky.social (One of my favorite scientists to spend time with!!) tomorrow for the @pennngg.bsky.social and MINS seminar!! Come learn about glia!!