Simak
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simak.bsky.social
Simak
@simak.bsky.social
170 followers 420 following 7 posts
Researching breast & prostate cancer.
Molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry. Cancer genes of special focus: estrogen & androgen receptors, cyclin-dependent kinases.

http://imperial.ac.uk/people/simak.ali
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Reposted by Simak
vcushing.bsky.social
New paper out now in Science! Check it out!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Structural basis of T-loop–independent recognition and activation of CDKs by the CDK-activating kinase
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are prototypical regulators of the cell cycle. The CDK-activating kinase (CAK) acts as a master regulator of CDK activity by catalyzing the activating phosphorylation o...
www.science.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
simak.bsky.social
Our paper showing that acquired resistance to CDK inhibitors can result from simple mutations in the CDK gene is now out - thanks to Chun-Fui Lai, @vcushing.bsky.social @bjgreber.bsky.social with support from @prostatecanceruk.bsky.social @imperialsandc.bsky.social www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
Resistance to CDK7 inhibitors directed by acquired mutation of a conserved residue in cancer cells | The EMBO Journal
imageimageCDKs control cell cycle progression and transcription, pathways commonly dysregulated in cancer. This study identifies a resistance mechanism of prostate cancer cells towards the CDK7 inhibi...
www.embopress.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by Simak
thenerve.news
More than just a bad apple: why we must look closer at the Nathan Gill scandal

New evidence connects the Ukrainian politician who paid bribes to Gill - Reform UK’s former leader in Wales - to a campaign to destabilise the US election

@carolecadwalla.bsky.social reports
The contact of Reform UK's Russian puppet Nathan Gill is linked to efforts to destabilise the US and Ukraine. Why, even now, is no one asking questions?
October 12, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Simak
prostateukprofs.bsky.social
Can specific gene mutations drive CDK7 inhibitor resistance in #ProstateCancer?

A brilliant team led by @simak.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social share exciting new findings in @embojournal.org.

Grab a ☕ and read: doi.org/10.1038/s443...
Scientific Paper Published in The EMBO Journal, titled: Resistance to CDK7 inhibitors directed by acquired mutation of a conserved residue in cancer cells. Written by Lai et al.
September 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
simak.bsky.social
We show a single amino acid change in CDK7 causes acquired resistance to CDK7i in cancer cells. There are implications for patient selection,resistance monitoring and switching treatments. thanks to @vcushing.bsky.social @bjgreber.bsky.social @prostatecanceruk.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1038/s443...
September 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Simak
timfenton10.bsky.social
This will be a great meeting - and in the sunniest part of the UK!
thebacr.bsky.social The British Association for Cancer Research @thebacr.bsky.social · Jul 3
Cancer Immunology - Final Reminder for Abstract Submission: 11th July 2025
July 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Simak
docfanning.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A fantastic paper on the dynamics of the estrogen receptor N-terminal domain. A big win for the field and the Yang lab should be commended on their seminal study!
The sequence–structure–function relationship of intrinsic ERα disorder - Nature
Serine 118 phosphorylation drives conformational changes through the disruption of hydrophobic interactions between aromatic-rich clusters, showing how hydrophobic mutations can restore oestrogen rece...
www.nature.com
January 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Simak
simak.bsky.social
Our publication in Cancer Research (DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-0013) reveals a route to hormone therapy resistance in #ER-positive breast cancer patients. We show that induction of #VGLL1 drives gene expression programmes that confer resistance to ER degraders.
January 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
simak.bsky.social
#science #cancer #breast_cancer #hormone_therapy #transcription
simak.bsky.social Simak @simak.bsky.social · Jan 4
Our work flags new therapeutic opportunities for patients who progress on/after hormone therapies, including VGLL1/TEAD inhibitors & drugs targeting EGFR

Thanks to a super collaboration with @magnanilab.bsky.social, funding from @cancerresearchuk.org and support from @imperialsandc.bsky.social
January 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Simak
mjsikora.bsky.social
Applications for Endocrine Society's awards programs are open until 1/15, including key early career programs, e.g. Early Career Forum & REGMS research fellowship.

These programs are a gateway to grow careers in endocrinology and in ES as a professional home. Apply today!

www.endocrine.org/awards
As a co-chair of the Training and Career Development Core Committee, I’m proud to highlight the Endocrine Society’s commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in endocrinology through these transformative programs. Having seen firsthand their impact, I can attest to their power in equipping trainees with the skills, connections, and recognition they need to excel and lead in the field. Applications for these programs close soon on Wednesday, January 15, and we want to ensure your trainees don’t miss this opportunity. By encouraging them to apply, you can help them access workshops, mentorship, networking, and awards designed to elevate their careers. The Early Investigator Awards (EIA) celebrate exceptional research in endocrinology. Awardees receive a $1,000 prize, complimentary ENDO 2025 registration, a one-year Society membership, and public recognition of their accomplishments. The Early Career Forum Travel Award (ECF) provides access to an exclusive professional development workshop at the ENDO annual meeting. Travel awardees receive complimentary registrations for ENDO 2025 and the ECF workshop, plus a $400 travel grant. The Research Experiences for Graduate and Medical Students (REGMS) program supports promising 1st to 3rd year medical or graduate students through hands-on research experience and mentorship from Endocrine Society members. Participants receive a $2,500 honorarium, an 8-week webinar series, career development opportunities, and the opportunity to present research at ENDO 2026 with a $1,500 travel grant. Your recommendation and encouragement could make all the difference for a trainee considering these opportunities. Please share this information with your students and fellows and help us support the next generation of leaders in endocrinology. Thank you for your partnership in fostering the careers of tomorrow’s endocrine professionals.
January 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
simak.bsky.social
Our publication in Cancer Research (DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-0013) reveals a route to hormone therapy resistance in #ER-positive breast cancer patients. We show that induction of #VGLL1 drives gene expression programmes that confer resistance to ER degraders.
January 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
simak.bsky.social
Super lineup for this conference.
yatlasi.bsky.social Yaser Atlasi @yatlasi.bsky.social · Dec 1
Almost 1 month left to submit your abstract for the #Epigenetics2025 conference, organized by @gensocuk.bsky.social
We’ve put together a fantastic scientific program, and Northern Ireland is a wonderful destination to explore.
December 1, 2024 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Simak
yatlasi.bsky.social
Almost 1 month left to submit your abstract for the #Epigenetics2025 conference, organized by @gensocuk.bsky.social
We’ve put together a fantastic scientific program, and Northern Ireland is a wonderful destination to explore.
December 1, 2024 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Simak
mmalumbres.bsky.social
Yet….. It seems from the data that there is a tendency for better efficacy in CDK4/6i-first. But the p-value is 0.1… what if the n were bigger?
The tyranny of the p-value? #oncoSky #oncosky🧪
November 30, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Simak
mitchguttman.bsky.social
Gene regulation involves thousands of proteins that bind DNA, yet comprehensively mapping these is challenging. Our paper in Nature Genetics describes ChIP-DIP, a method for genome-wide mapping of hundreds of DNA-protein interactions in a single experiment.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
ChIP-DIP maps binding of hundreds of proteins to DNA simultaneously and identifies diverse gene regulatory elements - Nature Genetics
ChIP-DIP (ChIP done in parallel) is a highly multiplex assay for protein–DNA binding, scalable to hundreds of proteins including modified histones, chromatin regulators and transcription factors, offe...
www.nature.com
November 27, 2024 at 4:13 AM
Reposted by Simak
siersbaek.bsky.social
📢 Looking for a #postdoc position in the intersection of #cancer, #chromatin and #epigenetics??? Still a few days left to apply to our lab in wonderful Denmark as part of the new translational cancer hub initiative🇩🇰🧪👇🏻
Postdoc Positions in Translational Cancer Research
Application deadline: 30 November 2024 at 23.59 hours local Danish time.
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
November 28, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Simak
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
In other news millions of people in the UK are living in poverty, destitution & using food banks
November 20, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Simak
bjgreber.bsky.social
From these data, we derived the mechanism of CDK7-selectivity of the clinical compound and formulated a hypothesis for a secondary mechanism of selectivity in this compound class. We tested this hypothesis successfully by analysis of the compound CT7030.
March 14, 2024 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Simak
timfenton10.bsky.social
Ok first post on Bluesky and it’s a science one… New paper out from the lab! APOBEC genes protect us from viral infection but go rogue in cancer. Here we shed new light on how these important genes are regulated, offering clues as to what goes wrong in cancer.

www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
Differentiation signals induce APOBEC3A expression via GRHL3 in squamous epithelia and squamous cell carcinoma | The EMBO Journal
imageimageAPOBEC3A and APOBEC3B encode DNA editing enzymes with anti-viral roles that generate somatic mutations in cancer. This study provides insight into their expression in healthy and cancerous e...
www.embopress.org
November 16, 2024 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Simak
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
It’s so important we support @bylinetimes.bsky.social. It’s the newspaper we’ve all been waiting for. Truly independent journalism at its very best

subscribe.bylinetimes.com
November 16, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Simak
bsky.app
A number of artists and creators have made their home on Bluesky, and we hear their concerns with other platforms training on their data. We do not use any of your content to train generative AI, and have no intention of doing so.
November 15, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Simak
bjgreber.bsky.social
This was missed due to major live events happening around the same time, but we have released some of our high-resolution (2 Å) and rapid screening #cryoEM maps & models of the human CAK bound to small molecules. Paper still under review - more to follow.
www.ebi.ac.uk/emdb/search/...
October 27, 2023 at 7:25 AM