A. Sánchez Alvarado
@planaria1.bsky.social
An ongoing collection of places, ideas and people I run into during the practice of science
Pinned
Science is humanity’s grand endeavor to understand the universe & our place in it
Every scientific breakthrough a testament to our curiosity & perseverance
Science remains our compass, guiding us through the labyrinth of ideas, helping us distinguish truth from illusion, voices from echoes
Every scientific breakthrough a testament to our curiosity & perseverance
Science remains our compass, guiding us through the labyrinth of ideas, helping us distinguish truth from illusion, voices from echoes
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Curious what it's like to be a #CompBio Scholar at the Institute? Find out in this Q&A! ⬇️
Our #CompBio Scholars Program pairs early-career scientists with Stowers Investigators & Tech Center experts. For inaugural Scholar Alejandro Diaz de la Vega Gonzalez, that meant hands-on training, mentorship.
Learn more + apply ➡️ bit.ly/3KgFYBn
Learn more + apply ➡️ bit.ly/3KgFYBn
A Q&A with a Stowers Computational Biology Scholar
Learn more about Inaugural Scholar Alejandro Diaz de la Vega Gonzalez and what led him to pursue a career in computational biology
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Curious what it's like to be a #CompBio Scholar at the Institute? Find out in this Q&A! ⬇️
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Hear from previous Summer Scholars ⬇️ and apply before the deadline THIS Friday to spend the summer doing hands-on research!
🚨 Last chance to apply! 🚨Applications for the 2026 Summer Scholars Program close this Friday, 1/16.
Spend 8 weeks doing hands-on #research in a world-class lab.
📽️⬇️Hear from former Summer Scholars + APPLY now → bit.ly/3SDVdGo
Spend 8 weeks doing hands-on #research in a world-class lab.
📽️⬇️Hear from former Summer Scholars + APPLY now → bit.ly/3SDVdGo
January 14, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Hear from previous Summer Scholars ⬇️ and apply before the deadline THIS Friday to spend the summer doing hands-on research!
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
A milestone moment for #Stowers25 🎉 We were honored to receive a Missouri State Resolution celebrating the Institute’s 25 years of advancing foundational biomedical #research.
Thank you to Missouri Senator Patty Lewis for recognizing the impact of #science in our state.
Thank you to Missouri Senator Patty Lewis for recognizing the impact of #science in our state.
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
A milestone moment for #Stowers25 🎉 We were honored to receive a Missouri State Resolution celebrating the Institute’s 25 years of advancing foundational biomedical #research.
Thank you to Missouri Senator Patty Lewis for recognizing the impact of #science in our state.
Thank you to Missouri Senator Patty Lewis for recognizing the impact of #science in our state.
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
What comes after 25 years of #discovery?
A future where #biology is redefined, powered by new technologies, expansive thinking, and the freedom to ask the biggest questions. At Stowers, we’re not just keeping pace with #science. We’re helping set it. #Stowers25
Learn more: bit.ly/46KoZ2Y
A future where #biology is redefined, powered by new technologies, expansive thinking, and the freedom to ask the biggest questions. At Stowers, we’re not just keeping pace with #science. We’re helping set it. #Stowers25
Learn more: bit.ly/46KoZ2Y
January 16, 2026 at 7:57 PM
What comes after 25 years of #discovery?
A future where #biology is redefined, powered by new technologies, expansive thinking, and the freedom to ask the biggest questions. At Stowers, we’re not just keeping pace with #science. We’re helping set it. #Stowers25
Learn more: bit.ly/46KoZ2Y
A future where #biology is redefined, powered by new technologies, expansive thinking, and the freedom to ask the biggest questions. At Stowers, we’re not just keeping pace with #science. We’re helping set it. #Stowers25
Learn more: bit.ly/46KoZ2Y
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
The #CompBio Scholars Program provides a valuable, career-enhancing research and mentoring opportunity for early-career computational biologists and bioinformaticians. Don't miss your chance to apply⬇️
🚨 Applications are open for our Computational Biology Scholars Program! Work alongside scientists at the forefront of #discovery. Build skills. Gain mentors. Push the boundaries of computational #biology.
Learn more & apply ➡️ bit.ly/3T0dYCy
Learn more & apply ➡️ bit.ly/3T0dYCy
Computational Biology Scholars
The mission of The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research is to prepare a superb cadre of predoctoral researchers from around the…
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 9:29 PM
The #CompBio Scholars Program provides a valuable, career-enhancing research and mentoring opportunity for early-career computational biologists and bioinformaticians. Don't miss your chance to apply⬇️
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
🔬✨ 2025 in Review
From welcoming new scientists to bold discoveries across #biology, 2025 was a milestone year at the Institute, marking 25 years of curiosity-driven #discovery.
Explore 15 highlights ➡️ bit.ly/48JGku3
From welcoming new scientists to bold discoveries across #biology, 2025 was a milestone year at the Institute, marking 25 years of curiosity-driven #discovery.
Explore 15 highlights ➡️ bit.ly/48JGku3
December 17, 2025 at 6:26 PM
🔬✨ 2025 in Review
From welcoming new scientists to bold discoveries across #biology, 2025 was a milestone year at the Institute, marking 25 years of curiosity-driven #discovery.
Explore 15 highlights ➡️ bit.ly/48JGku3
From welcoming new scientists to bold discoveries across #biology, 2025 was a milestone year at the Institute, marking 25 years of curiosity-driven #discovery.
Explore 15 highlights ➡️ bit.ly/48JGku3
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Last night, Biff Mann, Senior Research Associate in the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab joined Science Over Spirits for a talk titled “The Joy of Science: the quest for the unknown.”
Biff explored what drives scientists to ask big questions, and why the unknown is where the excitement begins. 🧪🔍
Biff explored what drives scientists to ask big questions, and why the unknown is where the excitement begins. 🧪🔍
January 15, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Last night, Biff Mann, Senior Research Associate in the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab joined Science Over Spirits for a talk titled “The Joy of Science: the quest for the unknown.”
Biff explored what drives scientists to ask big questions, and why the unknown is where the excitement begins. 🧪🔍
Biff explored what drives scientists to ask big questions, and why the unknown is where the excitement begins. 🧪🔍
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
🎙️ President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social, joined @scifri.bsky.social to explore the #biology of #regeneration — and what tiny worms can teach us about renewal, resilience, and growth. 🪱
🎧 Listen to the full episode: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
🎧 Listen to the full episode: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
January 12, 2026 at 9:01 PM
🎙️ President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social, joined @scifri.bsky.social to explore the #biology of #regeneration — and what tiny worms can teach us about renewal, resilience, and growth. 🪱
🎧 Listen to the full episode: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
🎧 Listen to the full episode: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
#Research from the @bazzinilab.bsky.social helped uncover how embryos activate their own #genome in the earliest hours of development—an essential step for continued growth. 🧬 #ResearchSky #SciSky
📄 Read more in @antena3com.bsky.social: www.antena3.com/noticias/cie...
📄 Read more in @antena3com.bsky.social: www.antena3.com/noticias/cie...
Un nuevo hallazgo revela cómo el embrión asume el control de la vida desde sus primeras horas
Un equipo internacional de investigación ha identificado por primera vez un mecanismo decisivo que permite al embrión activar su propio genoma y dar inicio autónomo a su desarrollo.
www.antena3.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:24 PM
#Research from the @bazzinilab.bsky.social helped uncover how embryos activate their own #genome in the earliest hours of development—an essential step for continued growth. 🧬 #ResearchSky #SciSky
📄 Read more in @antena3com.bsky.social: www.antena3.com/noticias/cie...
📄 Read more in @antena3com.bsky.social: www.antena3.com/noticias/cie...
The moon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare
Moon wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites: all individuals start life as females & some later change sex to become males
Sex change can be rapid (a few days days) & is associated with social structure
Moon wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites: all individuals start life as females & some later change sex to become males
Sex change can be rapid (a few days days) & is associated with social structure
January 12, 2026 at 11:51 AM
The moon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare
Moon wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites: all individuals start life as females & some later change sex to become males
Sex change can be rapid (a few days days) & is associated with social structure
Moon wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites: all individuals start life as females & some later change sex to become males
Sex change can be rapid (a few days days) & is associated with social structure
The double-spined or banded sea urchin Echinothrix calamaris. A long‑spined, nocturnal Indo‑Pacific echinoid.
Newly metamorphosed juveniles possess short spines and gradually develop the characteristic long and short spine complement of adults as the test plates grow and add new tubercles.
Newly metamorphosed juveniles possess short spines and gradually develop the characteristic long and short spine complement of adults as the test plates grow and add new tubercles.
January 12, 2026 at 12:39 AM
The double-spined or banded sea urchin Echinothrix calamaris. A long‑spined, nocturnal Indo‑Pacific echinoid.
Newly metamorphosed juveniles possess short spines and gradually develop the characteristic long and short spine complement of adults as the test plates grow and add new tubercles.
Newly metamorphosed juveniles possess short spines and gradually develop the characteristic long and short spine complement of adults as the test plates grow and add new tubercles.
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
A year of #discovery, driven by curiosity and community. 🔬
Our President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social reflects on the #science, people, and shared purpose that shaped 2025, & why the future of discovery at the Institute is bright.
🔗Read the full message here: bit.ly/4aNOvqv
Our President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social reflects on the #science, people, and shared purpose that shaped 2025, & why the future of discovery at the Institute is bright.
🔗Read the full message here: bit.ly/4aNOvqv
Reflecting on a Year of Discovery: A Message from our President and…
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Ph.D., reflects on a year of discovery, gratitude, and the community that helps support our mission.
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 4:48 PM
A year of #discovery, driven by curiosity and community. 🔬
Our President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social reflects on the #science, people, and shared purpose that shaped 2025, & why the future of discovery at the Institute is bright.
🔗Read the full message here: bit.ly/4aNOvqv
Our President and Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social reflects on the #science, people, and shared purpose that shaped 2025, & why the future of discovery at the Institute is bright.
🔗Read the full message here: bit.ly/4aNOvqv
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Congratulations to Investigator @kkostova.bsky.social!
Our latest ‘Cell Scientist to Watch’ interview is with Kamena Kostova @kkostova.bsky.social @stowersinstitute.bsky.social. We learn about Kamena's career path, her research, her approach to building a productive & inclusive lab culture & her love of baking.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
January 7, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Congratulations to Investigator @kkostova.bsky.social!
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Cut a flatworm in pieces—and each piece can regrow a whole animal. 🪱 Featured in The Hindu, #research from the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab helps explain how #regeneration in flatworms & axolotls depends on coordinated signals across the entire body—not just local stem cell niches.
🔗 bit.ly/4aNDaGX
🔗 bit.ly/4aNDaGX
In axolotls and flatworms, regeneration is a body-wide choreograph
Discover how axolotls and flatworms coordinate regeneration through body-wide signals, revealing a complex healing process.
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Cut a flatworm in pieces—and each piece can regrow a whole animal. 🪱 Featured in The Hindu, #research from the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab helps explain how #regeneration in flatworms & axolotls depends on coordinated signals across the entire body—not just local stem cell niches.
🔗 bit.ly/4aNDaGX
🔗 bit.ly/4aNDaGX
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Did you know that over the past year, most of your body has replaced itself cell by cell? Even so, according to biologist Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, you've been one-upped by flatworms: buff.ly/ky5PM6u
January 6, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Did you know that over the past year, most of your body has replaced itself cell by cell? Even so, according to biologist Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, you've been one-upped by flatworms: buff.ly/ky5PM6u
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Fantastic interview with @planaria1.bsky.social "about the science of regeneration & the biology lessons we can carry into the new year."
#regeneration #metaphors
www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
#regeneration #metaphors
www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
Your Cells Are Always Building A Whole New You
Over the past year, most of your body has replaced itself cell by cell. What can we learn from other animals’ dramatic feats of regeneration?
www.sciencefriday.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Fantastic interview with @planaria1.bsky.social "about the science of regeneration & the biology lessons we can carry into the new year."
#regeneration #metaphors
www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
#regeneration #metaphors
www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
New year, new you—literally. 🧬 Pres & CSO @planaria1.bsky.social joined @scifri.bsky.social to ring in 2026 with a convo about #regeneration, tiny worms with extraordinary abilities, and what #biology can teach us about renewal and resilience. 🪱
🎧 Listen now: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
🎧 Listen now: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
Your Cells Are Always Building A Whole New You
Over the past year, most of your body has replaced itself cell by cell. What can we learn from other animals’ dramatic feats of regeneration?
www.sciencefriday.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:52 PM
New year, new you—literally. 🧬 Pres & CSO @planaria1.bsky.social joined @scifri.bsky.social to ring in 2026 with a convo about #regeneration, tiny worms with extraordinary abilities, and what #biology can teach us about renewal and resilience. 🪱
🎧 Listen now: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
🎧 Listen now: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/reg...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
#2025Rewind ⏪ #BIGIDEAS returned in 2025, bringing science, curiosity, and conversation back to the stage. From plant intelligence to a dialogue with Craig Venter, the series connects #research with the public.
Learn more: www.stowers.org/events/big-i...
Learn more: www.stowers.org/events/big-i...
December 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
#2025Rewind ⏪ #BIGIDEAS returned in 2025, bringing science, curiosity, and conversation back to the stage. From plant intelligence to a dialogue with Craig Venter, the series connects #research with the public.
Learn more: www.stowers.org/events/big-i...
Learn more: www.stowers.org/events/big-i...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
#2025Rewind ⏪ Stowers scientists have established the apple snail as a new #research organism for investigating eye #regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease.
🐌Read here: www.stowers.org/news/seeing-...
🐌Read here: www.stowers.org/news/seeing-...
December 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
#2025Rewind ⏪ Stowers scientists have established the apple snail as a new #research organism for investigating eye #regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease.
🐌Read here: www.stowers.org/news/seeing-...
🐌Read here: www.stowers.org/news/seeing-...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
#2025Rewind ⏪ Cells must eliminate faulty #ribosomes to stay healthy. A new pathway discovered by Stowers scientists reveals how defective protein-making machines are identified and discarded.
Read more: www.stowers.org/news/finding...
Read more: www.stowers.org/news/finding...
December 27, 2025 at 12:36 AM
#2025Rewind ⏪ Cells must eliminate faulty #ribosomes to stay healthy. A new pathway discovered by Stowers scientists reveals how defective protein-making machines are identified and discarded.
Read more: www.stowers.org/news/finding...
Read more: www.stowers.org/news/finding...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
🪱 New #research from the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab, published in @dev-journal.bsky.social, reveals that whole-body #regeneration in #planarian flatworms depends not only on stem cells, but on metabolically specialized support cells that fuel the process.
🔗Read more: www.stowers.org/news/support...
🔗Read more: www.stowers.org/news/support...
Support cells fuel flatworm regeneration
Stowers scientists discover how metabolically specialized support cells orchestrate whole-body regeneration, reshaping our understanding of tissue repair…
www.stowers.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🪱 New #research from the @planaria1.bsky.social Lab, published in @dev-journal.bsky.social, reveals that whole-body #regeneration in #planarian flatworms depends not only on stem cells, but on metabolically specialized support cells that fuel the process.
🔗Read more: www.stowers.org/news/support...
🔗Read more: www.stowers.org/news/support...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Nature's "blue" isn't pigment — it's physics.
At the #Stowers25 Symposium,
@mblscience.bsky.social Director Nipam Patel showed how butterflies use nanostructured scales to refract light into brilliant colors. 🦋🌈
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
At the #Stowers25 Symposium,
@mblscience.bsky.social Director Nipam Patel showed how butterflies use nanostructured scales to refract light into brilliant colors. 🦋🌈
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
December 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Nature's "blue" isn't pigment — it's physics.
At the #Stowers25 Symposium,
@mblscience.bsky.social Director Nipam Patel showed how butterflies use nanostructured scales to refract light into brilliant colors. 🦋🌈
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
At the #Stowers25 Symposium,
@mblscience.bsky.social Director Nipam Patel showed how butterflies use nanostructured scales to refract light into brilliant colors. 🦋🌈
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
From decoding the human genome to exploring life across the world’s oceans, Craig Venter (@jcvi.org) shared a remarkable journey on the #BIGIDEAS stage.
📹The full conversation with President & Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30p...
📹The full conversation with President & Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30p...
BIG IDEAS: A Conversation with Genomics Pioneer Craig Venter
YouTube video by Stowers Institute for Medical Research
www.youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
From decoding the human genome to exploring life across the world’s oceans, Craig Venter (@jcvi.org) shared a remarkable journey on the #BIGIDEAS stage.
📹The full conversation with President & Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30p...
📹The full conversation with President & Chief Scientific Officer @planaria1.bsky.social is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30p...
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Progress in #science is rarely smooth.
At the #Stowers25 Symposium, @carlzimmer.com from @nytimes.com explored how forgotten research on airborne disease shaped the COVID pandemic, and why revisiting scientific history matters.
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
At the #Stowers25 Symposium, @carlzimmer.com from @nytimes.com explored how forgotten research on airborne disease shaped the COVID pandemic, and why revisiting scientific history matters.
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
December 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Progress in #science is rarely smooth.
At the #Stowers25 Symposium, @carlzimmer.com from @nytimes.com explored how forgotten research on airborne disease shaped the COVID pandemic, and why revisiting scientific history matters.
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
At the #Stowers25 Symposium, @carlzimmer.com from @nytimes.com explored how forgotten research on airborne disease shaped the COVID pandemic, and why revisiting scientific history matters.
Learn more: bit.ly/3XLLxee
Reposted by A. Sánchez Alvarado
Why study a flatworm? Because it may hold the key to regenerating human organs. @danimateria.bsky.social from @elpais.com spoke w/ Pres & CSO @planaria1.bsky.social, about what #planarians can teach us about #regeneration, aging, & the possibilities of future medicine.
🔗 elpais.com/salud-y-bien...
🔗 elpais.com/salud-y-bien...
Alejandro Sánchez-Alvarado, el científico que quiere desvelar los secretos del gusano inmortal
El investigador explica cómo un animal diminuto nos puede enseñar a regenerar órganos
elpais.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Why study a flatworm? Because it may hold the key to regenerating human organs. @danimateria.bsky.social from @elpais.com spoke w/ Pres & CSO @planaria1.bsky.social, about what #planarians can teach us about #regeneration, aging, & the possibilities of future medicine.
🔗 elpais.com/salud-y-bien...
🔗 elpais.com/salud-y-bien...