Sean Coakley
@seancoakley.bsky.social
Lab head and neuroscientist at the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Queensland 🇦🇺🧠🔬
www.coakleylab.com
www.coakleylab.com
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Thanks to The University of Queensland for highlighting our discovery of a nanoscale scaffold, in the tissue that surrounds the axon, that protects sensory axons from degenerating.
news.uq.edu.au/2026-01-plea...
@hilliardlab.bsky.social
news.uq.edu.au/2026-01-plea...
@hilliardlab.bsky.social
Pleasure and pain: tiny worm reveals secret to protecting skin sensations
A tiny roundworm has helped UQ scientists uncover miniscule structures in skin tissue that may protect the body’s ability to feel temperature, touch and pain.
news.uq.edu.au
January 29, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Thanks to The University of Queensland for highlighting our discovery of a nanoscale scaffold, in the tissue that surrounds the axon, that protects sensory axons from degenerating.
news.uq.edu.au/2026-01-plea...
@hilliardlab.bsky.social
news.uq.edu.au/2026-01-plea...
@hilliardlab.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Coakley
The MPS visits the axon's neighbors! Interesting results from @hilliardlab.bsky.social & @coakleylab.bsky.social in C. elegans where the epidermis forms a submembrane axon-imprinted periodic spectrin skeleton that restrict the endocytosis of cell surface proteins:
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
January 8, 2026 at 11:31 AM
The MPS visits the axon's neighbors! Interesting results from @hilliardlab.bsky.social & @coakleylab.bsky.social in C. elegans where the epidermis forms a submembrane axon-imprinted periodic spectrin skeleton that restrict the endocytosis of cell surface proteins:
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Excellent work from @coakleylab.bsky.social and @hilliardlab.bsky.social 👏
Turns out, neurons protect themselves by literally becoming thick-skinned.
Turns out, neurons protect themselves by literally becoming thick-skinned.
Latest paper is now out and features on the cover of Science Advances 👉 tinyurl.com/vea5862x
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
An epidermal membrane-associated periodic skeleton restricts endocytosis to stabilize neuron-epidermal attachment and preserve axons
An epidermal membrane periodic scaffold protects axons from damage.
tinyurl.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:23 AM
Excellent work from @coakleylab.bsky.social and @hilliardlab.bsky.social 👏
Turns out, neurons protect themselves by literally becoming thick-skinned.
Turns out, neurons protect themselves by literally becoming thick-skinned.
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Latest paper is now out and features on the cover of Science Advances 👉 tinyurl.com/vea5862x
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
An epidermal membrane-associated periodic skeleton restricts endocytosis to stabilize neuron-epidermal attachment and preserve axons
An epidermal membrane periodic scaffold protects axons from damage.
tinyurl.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Latest paper is now out and features on the cover of Science Advances 👉 tinyurl.com/vea5862x
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
Very grateful Igor Bonacossa Pereira, Dat Le & Massimo Hilliard @hilliardlab.bsky.social for their creativity & passion.
Read more about it 👉
tinyurl.com/56awjda5
& 👉 tinyurl.com/2vp8p8uk
Reposted by Sean Coakley
#NHMRC responses at #Estimates were deeply inadequate, uninformed and are not going to #SaveOzScience. #NHMRC has NOT requested more funding to save the majority of excellent science. Our science, our scientists and the public deserve better. Thankyou #DavidPocock and #DrMoniqueRyan.
December 4, 2025 at 12:36 AM
#NHMRC responses at #Estimates were deeply inadequate, uninformed and are not going to #SaveOzScience. #NHMRC has NOT requested more funding to save the majority of excellent science. Our science, our scientists and the public deserve better. Thankyou #DavidPocock and #DrMoniqueRyan.
Reposted by Sean Coakley
🚨 Deadline for Abstracts closes 17:00 AEST, Monday 7 July 2025 🚨
🔬🧬🧠Abstract submission for the #ANS2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania close soon!🔬🧬🧠
Submit your abstract Here: tas.currinda2.com/register/eve...
We look forward to seeing you in Hobart!
🔬🧬🧠Abstract submission for the #ANS2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania close soon!🔬🧬🧠
Submit your abstract Here: tas.currinda2.com/register/eve...
We look forward to seeing you in Hobart!
tas.currinda2.com
June 30, 2025 at 3:30 AM
🚨 Deadline for Abstracts closes 17:00 AEST, Monday 7 July 2025 🚨
🔬🧬🧠Abstract submission for the #ANS2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania close soon!🔬🧬🧠
Submit your abstract Here: tas.currinda2.com/register/eve...
We look forward to seeing you in Hobart!
🔬🧬🧠Abstract submission for the #ANS2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, Tasmania close soon!🔬🧬🧠
Submit your abstract Here: tas.currinda2.com/register/eve...
We look forward to seeing you in Hobart!
A watched manuscript never gets reviewed
a pot of boiling water is sitting on a stove .
ALT: a pot of boiling water is sitting on a stove .
media.tenor.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
A watched manuscript never gets reviewed
Daily reminder that life's a rollercoaster 🎢 #celegans #dadjokes and coaster by @mehershadw.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Daily reminder that life's a rollercoaster 🎢 #celegans #dadjokes and coaster by @mehershadw.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Coakley
What a fantastic gift from Red, our undergrad rotation student this semester. A needle felt C. elegans! Thank you Red 🙏#worm #celegans #scienceart #science
May 19, 2025 at 1:41 AM
What a fantastic gift from Red, our undergrad rotation student this semester. A needle felt C. elegans! Thank you Red 🙏#worm #celegans #scienceart #science
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Alright, Aus Neuro fam! 👋 We've just dropped a new ANS starter pack over at go.bsky.app/B8viKca and it's feeling a little... empty. 🤔 Hit that link and drop your suggestions – let's make this pack legendary! ✨ #bluesky #starterpack #suggestions #ANS #AusNeuro 🇦🇺🧠
April 23, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Alright, Aus Neuro fam! 👋 We've just dropped a new ANS starter pack over at go.bsky.app/B8viKca and it's feeling a little... empty. 🤔 Hit that link and drop your suggestions – let's make this pack legendary! ✨ #bluesky #starterpack #suggestions #ANS #AusNeuro 🇦🇺🧠
Reposted by Sean Coakley
A little piece I wrote for the conversation on the role of curiosity in medical breakthroughs 👇
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
‘Curiosity-driven research’ led to a recent major medical breakthrough. But it’s under threat
Curiosity-driven research is exactly what it sounds like: research driven by the goal of understanding nature without regard for application.
theconversation.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
A little piece I wrote for the conversation on the role of curiosity in medical breakthroughs 👇
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
They... used the force
April 4, 2025 at 11:54 AM
They... used the force
A little piece I wrote for the conversation on the role of curiosity in medical breakthroughs 👇
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
‘Curiosity-driven research’ led to a recent major medical breakthrough. But it’s under threat
Curiosity-driven research is exactly what it sounds like: research driven by the goal of understanding nature without regard for application.
theconversation.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
A little piece I wrote for the conversation on the role of curiosity in medical breakthroughs 👇
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
theconversation.com/curiosity-dr...
Reposted by Sean Coakley
The ARC have tweeted that they will released Discovery Projects Expression of Interest outcomes tomorrow.
February 27, 2025 at 12:25 AM
The ARC have tweeted that they will released Discovery Projects Expression of Interest outcomes tomorrow.
This looks like a fabulous meeting! Abstract submission and registration close soon so don't miss out. Cell biology ✔️ nervous system ✔️ Greece ✔️
🔬🤓🧠🇬🇷
🔬🤓🧠🇬🇷
February 27, 2025 at 11:39 PM
This looks like a fabulous meeting! Abstract submission and registration close soon so don't miss out. Cell biology ✔️ nervous system ✔️ Greece ✔️
🔬🤓🧠🇬🇷
🔬🤓🧠🇬🇷
Fantastic first day of #SMP2025 Bill Shorten's masterclass on civics was a highlight. Great to have the opportunity to chat with Minister Ed Husic at the gala dinner about the benefits of basic science and the culture of curiosity to drive innovation and economic benefits for all Australians 🧠🔬🤓
February 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Fantastic first day of #SMP2025 Bill Shorten's masterclass on civics was a highlight. Great to have the opportunity to chat with Minister Ed Husic at the gala dinner about the benefits of basic science and the culture of curiosity to drive innovation and economic benefits for all Australians 🧠🔬🤓
This paper is now featured by @naturecomms.bsky.social on their Editors' Highlights page
Check it out 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
Check it out 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
January 24, 2025 at 1:04 AM
This paper is now featured by @naturecomms.bsky.social on their Editors' Highlights page
Check it out 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
Check it out 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Our paper is now featured in the Editors' highlights at @naturecomms.bsky.social 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
www.nature.com/collections/...
NEW Paper:
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
January 23, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Our paper is now featured in the Editors' highlights at @naturecomms.bsky.social 👇
www.nature.com/collections/...
www.nature.com/collections/...
Reposted by Sean Coakley
NEW Paper:
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
January 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
NEW Paper:
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
If you're a fan of Rachel from 'Friends', you would love OSP-1, as it is also protective of ROS
Donato et al. found a novel gene OSP-1 (oxidative stress protective 1) that protects neurons from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), by modulating autophagy.👇
Nice way to start the year. An enormous effort on this one from Alessandra. Congratulations! 🎉
Leveraging the genetic power of the nematode C. elegans and the optogenetic tool KillerRed, the Hilliard Lab discovered osp-1, a novel gene that protects neurons from oxidative damage via cell-autonomous mechanisms 🧠 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
OSP-1 protects neurons from autophagic cell death induced by acute oxidative stress - Nature Communications
How oxidative stress impacts neurons is poorly understood. Here the authors reveal that overactivation of autophagy following oxidative stress contributes to neuronal death and discover a protective f...
doi.org
January 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Nice way to start the year. An enormous effort on this one from Alessandra. Congratulations! 🎉
Reposted by Sean Coakley
Leveraging the genetic power of the nematode C. elegans and the optogenetic tool KillerRed, the Hilliard Lab discovered osp-1, a novel gene that protects neurons from oxidative damage via cell-autonomous mechanisms 🧠 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
OSP-1 protects neurons from autophagic cell death induced by acute oxidative stress - Nature Communications
How oxidative stress impacts neurons is poorly understood. Here the authors reveal that overactivation of autophagy following oxidative stress contributes to neuronal death and discover a protective f...
doi.org
January 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Leveraging the genetic power of the nematode C. elegans and the optogenetic tool KillerRed, the Hilliard Lab discovered osp-1, a novel gene that protects neurons from oxidative damage via cell-autonomous mechanisms 🧠 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
What happens if I only eat tacos for 5 days? Asking for a friend... #CellBio2024
December 15, 2024 at 5:14 AM
What happens if I only eat tacos for 5 days? Asking for a friend... #CellBio2024
I'll be presenting our work from @coakleylab.bsky.social #CellBio2024 where we discovered a periodic spectrin skeleton in the skin of C. elegans that protects neurons from damage. Come say hi 👋 P1427 Sunday 15th 11:15am-12:45pm
@ascbiology.bsky.social
@ascbiology.bsky.social
December 15, 2024 at 12:28 AM
I'll be presenting our work from @coakleylab.bsky.social #CellBio2024 where we discovered a periodic spectrin skeleton in the skin of C. elegans that protects neurons from damage. Come say hi 👋 P1427 Sunday 15th 11:15am-12:45pm
@ascbiology.bsky.social
@ascbiology.bsky.social
Very happy and proud about this week's success. Very grateful to all my colleagues and my lab for their hard work and support getting this over the line 🍾🙏🥳
It was a good week this week 👇 🥂
www.coakleylab.com/news/arc-discovery-project-success
www.coakleylab.com/news/arc-discovery-project-success
November 30, 2024 at 1:33 AM
Very happy and proud about this week's success. Very grateful to all my colleagues and my lab for their hard work and support getting this over the line 🍾🙏🥳