Patrick S. Mitchell
@psmitchej.bsky.social
HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar and Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Washington studying host-pathogen interactions in beautiful Seattle.
(he/him). Opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
(he/him). Opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
Pinned
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
The National Institutes of Health has been integral to scientific progress in treating countless human diseases. Without its support, patients will ultimately pay the price.
theconversation.com
Federal funding of biomedical research has been a remarkably successful partnership, with benefits that are so intertwined in our daily lives that they can be easy to take for granted.
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Check out our new publication, a collaboration with Giovanni Luchetti and Vishva Dixit @ Genentech.
We show that the E.coli effector NleL inhibits intestinal epithelial cell extrusion after #inflammasome activation via degrading the kinases ROCK1 and 2!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Explainer 1/8
We show that the E.coli effector NleL inhibits intestinal epithelial cell extrusion after #inflammasome activation via degrading the kinases ROCK1 and 2!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Explainer 1/8
Enteropathogenic bacteria evade ROCK-driven epithelial cell extrusion - Nature
The bacterial ubiquitin ligase NleL evades host defence mechanisms both by inhibiting pyroptosis and by preventing infected intestinal epithelial cells from being extruded into the lumen and expelled ...
www.nature.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Check out our new publication, a collaboration with Giovanni Luchetti and Vishva Dixit @ Genentech.
We show that the E.coli effector NleL inhibits intestinal epithelial cell extrusion after #inflammasome activation via degrading the kinases ROCK1 and 2!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Explainer 1/8
We show that the E.coli effector NleL inhibits intestinal epithelial cell extrusion after #inflammasome activation via degrading the kinases ROCK1 and 2!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Explainer 1/8
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Co-discoverer of reverse transcriptase at 32, Nobel Prize at 37, played a key role at the 1975 Asilomar comference.
David Baltimore, Nobel-Winning Molecular Biologist, Dies at 87
www.nytimes.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Co-discoverer of reverse transcriptase at 32, Nobel Prize at 37, played a key role at the 1975 Asilomar comference.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
I'm excited to announce our new biorxiv preprint, wherein we investigate the evolution of the weirdest genetic locus I've ever seen! Behold the tgr genes of the social amoeba, which mediate self/non-self discrimination during facultative multicellularity 🐅 🧵 1/
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Hypermutable hotspot enables the rapid evolution of self/non-self recognition genes in Dictyostelium
Cells require highly polymorphic receptors to perform accurate self/non-self recognition. In the amoeba Dicytostelium discoideum, polymorphic TgrB1 & TgrC1 proteins are used to bind sister cells and e...
www.biorxiv.org
August 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I'm excited to announce our new biorxiv preprint, wherein we investigate the evolution of the weirdest genetic locus I've ever seen! Behold the tgr genes of the social amoeba, which mediate self/non-self discrimination during facultative multicellularity 🐅 🧵 1/
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Over 70K in Seattle denounce Trump at massive ‘No Kings’ rally
Over 70K in Seattle denounce Trump at massive ‘No Kings’ rally
Massive crowds gathered in Cal Anderson Park, aboard a state ferry and at the state Capitol to denounce the hard-line policies of President Donald Trump.
www.seattletimes.com
June 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Over 70K in Seattle denounce Trump at massive ‘No Kings’ rally
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
What does 18,000+ brave signatories look like standing together in massive solidarity with the #NIH heroes of the historic Bethesda Declaration??...
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
ADD YOUR NAME: Sign the Open Letter in Support of NIH Staff
Join the courageous and committed National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants by adding your name now.
actionnetwork.org
June 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
What does 18,000+ brave signatories look like standing together in massive solidarity with the #NIH heroes of the historic Bethesda Declaration??...
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
June 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Especially if you're on the fence about it, protest today. Fascism is isolating and lonely. Its very goal is to make you feel like you're the only person unwilling to accept a cult of personality. On days like today you fully realize there are more of us than there are them. You will feel better.
June 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Especially if you're on the fence about it, protest today. Fascism is isolating and lonely. Its very goal is to make you feel like you're the only person unwilling to accept a cult of personality. On days like today you fully realize there are more of us than there are them. You will feel better.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
"Sources said the administration is specifically considering a full termination of federal grant funding for the University of California and California State University systems."
Pure vandalism.
This could never happen in a country with functioning checks and balances.
Pure vandalism.
This could never happen in a country with functioning checks and balances.
Trump preparing large-scale cancellation of federal funding for California, sources say | CNN Politics
The Trump administration is preparing to cancel a large swath of federal funding to California, an effort which could begin as soon as Friday, according to multiple sources.
www.cnn.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"Sources said the administration is specifically considering a full termination of federal grant funding for the University of California and California State University systems."
Pure vandalism.
This could never happen in a country with functioning checks and balances.
Pure vandalism.
This could never happen in a country with functioning checks and balances.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
The university of California is a powerhouse of innovation, healthcare, and social mobility for California and the US.
June 7, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The university of California is a powerhouse of innovation, healthcare, and social mobility for California and the US.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Together with leading science organizations, ASM filed an amicus brief calling for immediate restoration of NIH grants supporting early-career scientists. Read the press release: asm.org/press-releas...
Four Leading Science Organizations File Amicus Brief Supporting Funding Restoration
ASM joined leading life science organizations in an amicus brief filed in support of a suit calling for immediate funding restoration.
asm.org
May 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Together with leading science organizations, ASM filed an amicus brief calling for immediate restoration of NIH grants supporting early-career scientists. Read the press release: asm.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
NIH's work saves lives—& Trump is gutting it.
Straight from D.C. I headed to Seattle Children's to hear from researchers & patients alike about the importance of NIH funding—it's not just about lines in a budget, it's about lifesaving discoveries.
We ALL need to speak up to save it.
Straight from D.C. I headed to Seattle Children's to hear from researchers & patients alike about the importance of NIH funding—it's not just about lines in a budget, it's about lifesaving discoveries.
We ALL need to speak up to save it.
May 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
NIH's work saves lives—& Trump is gutting it.
Straight from D.C. I headed to Seattle Children's to hear from researchers & patients alike about the importance of NIH funding—it's not just about lines in a budget, it's about lifesaving discoveries.
We ALL need to speak up to save it.
Straight from D.C. I headed to Seattle Children's to hear from researchers & patients alike about the importance of NIH funding—it's not just about lines in a budget, it's about lifesaving discoveries.
We ALL need to speak up to save it.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
🚨 Over 70 graduate programs in the biological and biomedical sciences have frozen or slashed admissions.
The consequences are profound—how many brilliant minds are being shut out of research entirely? How much future discovery is being lost before it even begins?
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
The consequences are profound—how many brilliant minds are being shut out of research entirely? How much future discovery is being lost before it even begins?
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)
docs.google.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
🚨 Over 70 graduate programs in the biological and biomedical sciences have frozen or slashed admissions.
The consequences are profound—how many brilliant minds are being shut out of research entirely? How much future discovery is being lost before it even begins?
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
The consequences are profound—how many brilliant minds are being shut out of research entirely? How much future discovery is being lost before it even begins?
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
The National Institutes of Health has been integral to scientific progress in treating countless human diseases. Without its support, patients will ultimately pay the price.
theconversation.com
March 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
See this chart for one stark example: NIH funding has dramatically slowed down.
Grant awards are down *$3 billion* so far, compared to same time period last year
I asked the White House to explain.
“This is not a researcher entitlement program,” said an official, defending their new approach.
Grant awards are down *$3 billion* so far, compared to same time period last year
I asked the White House to explain.
“This is not a researcher entitlement program,” said an official, defending their new approach.
March 28, 2025 at 1:13 PM
See this chart for one stark example: NIH funding has dramatically slowed down.
Grant awards are down *$3 billion* so far, compared to same time period last year
I asked the White House to explain.
“This is not a researcher entitlement program,” said an official, defending their new approach.
Grant awards are down *$3 billion* so far, compared to same time period last year
I asked the White House to explain.
“This is not a researcher entitlement program,” said an official, defending their new approach.
Federal funding of biomedical research has been a remarkably successful partnership, with benefits that are so intertwined in our daily lives that they can be easy to take for granted.
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs
The National Institutes of Health has been integral to scientific progress in treating countless human diseases. Without its support, patients will ultimately pay the price.
theconversation.com
March 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Federal funding of biomedical research has been a remarkably successful partnership, with benefits that are so intertwined in our daily lives that they can be easy to take for granted.
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
So what will we lose if the U.S. continues to defund research?
theconversation.com/cuts-to-scie...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
More important now than ever before: vilcek.org/prizes/vilce...
Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise - Vilcek Foundation
The Creative Promise Prizes are awarded to young immigrant professionals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement early in their careers.
vilcek.org
March 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
More important now than ever before: vilcek.org/prizes/vilce...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
I wrote an OpEd arguing against funding cuts to NIH and NSF and their devastating impact for the newspaper I grew up with, the Morning Sun, in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Keep spreading the word, wherever you can.
morningsun.net/stories/maki...
Keep spreading the word, wherever you can.
morningsun.net/stories/maki...
Making the case for science - The Morning Sun
I am a research scientist at the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis. Before that, I was a student in Pittsburg Community Schools: I started kindergarten at Lakeside and g...
morningsun.net
March 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I wrote an OpEd arguing against funding cuts to NIH and NSF and their devastating impact for the newspaper I grew up with, the Morning Sun, in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Keep spreading the word, wherever you can.
morningsun.net/stories/maki...
Keep spreading the word, wherever you can.
morningsun.net/stories/maki...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Ann Palmenberg was a trailblazer in virology and infectious disease research — but that was just for starters. A great scientist, mentor and friend, she lived every day to its fullest. news.wisc.edu/remembering-...
Remembering Professor Emerit Ann Palmenberg, renowned leader in virology
Enthusiastic, jovial and persistent, Palmenberg rarely did anything halfway, at work or at home. She made it her mission to find ways to connect with everyone she met — and if that meant an opportunit...
news.wisc.edu
March 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
First authors Madeline Churchill and Ankit Pandeya @nkeet50.bsky.social from @rauchlab.bsky.social show that tuft cells, known for their role in anti-parasite defenses, can also contribute to anti-bacterial responses in the small intestine. rupress.org/jem/article/...
#InfectiousDisease
#InfectiousDisease
March 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
First authors Madeline Churchill and Ankit Pandeya @nkeet50.bsky.social from @rauchlab.bsky.social show that tuft cells, known for their role in anti-parasite defenses, can also contribute to anti-bacterial responses in the small intestine. rupress.org/jem/article/...
#InfectiousDisease
#InfectiousDisease
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
Let's not forget that apart from science advocacy the Rauch lab also does kick-ass science!
Together with the @psmitchej.bsky.social and Tait Wojno labs, we show that #tuftcells can induce specific protective signaling after recognition of intracellular bacterial infection via the #inflammasome!
Together with the @psmitchej.bsky.social and Tait Wojno labs, we show that #tuftcells can induce specific protective signaling after recognition of intracellular bacterial infection via the #inflammasome!
First authors Madeline Churchill and Ankit Pandeya @nkeet50.bsky.social from @rauchlab.bsky.social show that tuft cells, known for their role in anti-parasite defenses, can also contribute to anti-bacterial responses in the small intestine. rupress.org/jem/article/...
#InfectiousDisease
#InfectiousDisease
March 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Let's not forget that apart from science advocacy the Rauch lab also does kick-ass science!
Together with the @psmitchej.bsky.social and Tait Wojno labs, we show that #tuftcells can induce specific protective signaling after recognition of intracellular bacterial infection via the #inflammasome!
Together with the @psmitchej.bsky.social and Tait Wojno labs, we show that #tuftcells can induce specific protective signaling after recognition of intracellular bacterial infection via the #inflammasome!
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024.
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
NIH Grants Fueled $95 Billion In FY 2024 Economic Activity, Finds New Report
National Institutes of Health grants generated almost $95 billion in economic activity nationwide in FY 2024 according to a new report by United for Medical Research.
www.forbes.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024.
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
🧪 The attack on science could have a generational effect. We risk losing a wave of early-career researchers to these cuts. And biomedical science in the US will be less ambitious, less competitive & lead to fewer breakthroughs. So much is at stake. My latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com (🎁 link):
NIH Cuts Create a Lost Generation of Scientists
Trump administration attacks on the National Institutes of Health mean biomedical research will become less ambitious, less competitive and result in fewer breakthroughs.
www.bloomberg.com
March 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM
🧪 The attack on science could have a generational effect. We risk losing a wave of early-career researchers to these cuts. And biomedical science in the US will be less ambitious, less competitive & lead to fewer breakthroughs. So much is at stake. My latest for @opinion.bloomberg.com (🎁 link):
See below for an AMAZING opportunity to learn the science of mosquito neurobiology.
The Sorrells Lab is hiring a recent college graduate interested in neurobiology of mosquitoes! The position is ideal for someone interested in gaining skills for graduate school. Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/164849
March 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
See below for an AMAZING opportunity to learn the science of mosquito neurobiology.
Reposted by Patrick S. Mitchell
1/4
Today, I honor Dr. Lee Herzenberg, a renaissance woman and a pioneer.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #IWD
I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by women at home and in science. I met Lee in 2004, and her mentorship profoundly influenced my career and values.
Today, I honor Dr. Lee Herzenberg, a renaissance woman and a pioneer.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #IWD
I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by women at home and in science. I met Lee in 2004, and her mentorship profoundly influenced my career and values.
March 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
1/4
Today, I honor Dr. Lee Herzenberg, a renaissance woman and a pioneer.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #IWD
I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by women at home and in science. I met Lee in 2004, and her mentorship profoundly influenced my career and values.
Today, I honor Dr. Lee Herzenberg, a renaissance woman and a pioneer.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #IWD
I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by women at home and in science. I met Lee in 2004, and her mentorship profoundly influenced my career and values.