Wyoming Wormboy
@wyomingwormboy.bsky.social
Science, students, and service. Serious academic meets incurable class clown.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
The 3 hardest things to learn as a scientist:
1. Trust the data.. especially when it’s not what you expected,
2. Trust the data.. allowing it to change your direction,
3. Trust the data.. but not too much: test with new data at every turn.
1. Trust the data.. especially when it’s not what you expected,
2. Trust the data.. allowing it to change your direction,
3. Trust the data.. but not too much: test with new data at every turn.
February 19, 2026 at 1:14 AM
The 3 hardest things to learn as a scientist:
1. Trust the data.. especially when it’s not what you expected,
2. Trust the data.. allowing it to change your direction,
3. Trust the data.. but not too much: test with new data at every turn.
1. Trust the data.. especially when it’s not what you expected,
2. Trust the data.. allowing it to change your direction,
3. Trust the data.. but not too much: test with new data at every turn.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Hey now, they didn’t say the review will be fair.
So, I guess there IS a limit to how much the Trump Administration will allow RFK Jr to push his very extreme, dangerous anti-vaccine activism
The Wall St Journal wrote a scathing editorial about the initial decision; I wonder if that's what prompted the reversal?
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
The Wall St Journal wrote a scathing editorial about the initial decision; I wonder if that's what prompted the reversal?
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
US FDA reverses course, will review Moderna's modified flu vaccine application
Moderna said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to review its influenza vaccine, reversing an earlier decision to reject the application, after the company made modification...
www.reuters.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Hey now, they didn’t say the review will be fair.
Life saving medicines with a positive economic impact for the US. Completely nuts.
Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Life saving medicines with a positive economic impact for the US. Completely nuts.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Here's another paper in our ongoing collaboration with Greg Odorizzi's lab at CU-Boulder:
AP-3 and the V-ATPase Modulate CTP Synthase Assembly Through Spatial Association at the Yeast Vacuole
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
AP-3 and the V-ATPase Modulate CTP Synthase Assembly Through Spatial Association at the Yeast Vacuole
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Here's another paper in our ongoing collaboration with Greg Odorizzi's lab at CU-Boulder:
AP-3 and the V-ATPase Modulate CTP Synthase Assembly Through Spatial Association at the Yeast Vacuole
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
AP-3 and the V-ATPase Modulate CTP Synthase Assembly Through Spatial Association at the Yeast Vacuole
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
I was diagnosed with locally advanced colon cancer at age 46, one small step from metastatic cancer. At the time, screening started at age 50 and I had no known family history.
Colon cancer (and other cancers) are increasingly common at younger ages. Get checked out. Get more time.
Colon cancer (and other cancers) are increasingly common at younger ages. Get checked out. Get more time.
Blood in the stool, abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits are early warning signs of colorectal cancer that shouldn't be ignored. When detected early, survival rates can reach 80% to 90%.
Colorectal cancer is increasing among young people, as James Van Der Beek’s death reminds us – cancer experts explain ways to decrease your risk
Colon cancer symptoms can be subtle. While lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk, open communication with your family and doctor is essential.
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 1:10 AM
I was diagnosed with locally advanced colon cancer at age 46, one small step from metastatic cancer. At the time, screening started at age 50 and I had no known family history.
Colon cancer (and other cancers) are increasingly common at younger ages. Get checked out. Get more time.
Colon cancer (and other cancers) are increasingly common at younger ages. Get checked out. Get more time.
Our uncorrected spoof, I mean proof! More forays into lipids and sensors and the intricacies of membrane trafficking. Thanks again to three reviewers for authentically helping us make this a better manuscript. Peer review is essential.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
PIKI-1, a class II PI 3-kinase, functions in endocytic trafficking
Author summary The uptake of materials from outside the cell and their subsequent delivery to specific intracellular locations are essential for cell function and survival. Two of the mechanisms that ...
dx.plos.org
February 14, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Our uncorrected spoof, I mean proof! More forays into lipids and sensors and the intricacies of membrane trafficking. Thanks again to three reviewers for authentically helping us make this a better manuscript. Peer review is essential.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Advice for a friend: When one gets a tenure track offer, at what stage would be best to bring up a possible spousal hire in negotiations? At first conversation? After first offer? In this case it'll be first a conversation with the chair who is a go-between w/ the dean. Advice would be welcome.
February 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Advice for a friend: When one gets a tenure track offer, at what stage would be best to bring up a possible spousal hire in negotiations? At first conversation? After first offer? In this case it'll be first a conversation with the chair who is a go-between w/ the dean. Advice would be welcome.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
🎉 LEE LAB PAPER ANNOUNCEMENT for this month's issue of #GENETICS! We're celebrating from both coasts, bc after defending her MS in 2024, Deepshi's now a biotech researcher in the Bay Area.
tl;dr: nucleosome remodeling is necessary to repair germline DNA damage 🧬
academic.oup.com/genetics/art...
tl;dr: nucleosome remodeling is necessary to repair germline DNA damage 🧬
academic.oup.com/genetics/art...
February 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM
🎉 LEE LAB PAPER ANNOUNCEMENT for this month's issue of #GENETICS! We're celebrating from both coasts, bc after defending her MS in 2024, Deepshi's now a biotech researcher in the Bay Area.
tl;dr: nucleosome remodeling is necessary to repair germline DNA damage 🧬
academic.oup.com/genetics/art...
tl;dr: nucleosome remodeling is necessary to repair germline DNA damage 🧬
academic.oup.com/genetics/art...
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
I would like to think @wyomingwormboy.bsky.social for describing the Sledgehammer Approach (to research) in WormBook. It is invaluable advice that I share with every trainee.
February 8, 2026 at 3:47 AM
I would like to think @wyomingwormboy.bsky.social for describing the Sledgehammer Approach (to research) in WormBook. It is invaluable advice that I share with every trainee.
I was feeling somewhat guilty about saying No to many recent requests but then I re-read the “children’s book”, The Giving Tree. Felt better.
Apparently some people interpret the tree’s hyper accommodating behavior as a positive example! I’m pretty sure that was not the author’s intention!
Apparently some people interpret the tree’s hyper accommodating behavior as a positive example! I’m pretty sure that was not the author’s intention!
February 5, 2026 at 11:28 PM
I was feeling somewhat guilty about saying No to many recent requests but then I re-read the “children’s book”, The Giving Tree. Felt better.
Apparently some people interpret the tree’s hyper accommodating behavior as a positive example! I’m pretty sure that was not the author’s intention!
Apparently some people interpret the tree’s hyper accommodating behavior as a positive example! I’m pretty sure that was not the author’s intention!
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
For the same reason that Indiana, which is virtually the same size as Massachusetts received nearly $349 million last year in farm subsidies, while Massachusetts got only about $9 million, 1/39th of Indiana’s boon.
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
For the same reason that Indiana, which is virtually the same size as Massachusetts received nearly $349 million last year in farm subsidies, while Massachusetts got only about $9 million, 1/39th of Indiana’s boon.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Excited to see this out in the world. The CGC is launching a curated strains collection, the first being protein degradation systems and this is a pilot primer to pair with it authored by myself, Dave Reiner, Ann Rougvie, and Aric Daul. We review the state of the field and provide use guidance (1)
The Caenorhabditis Genetics Center Curated Special Collections: a guide to protein degradation systems
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
The Caenorhabditis Genetics Center Curated Special Collections: a guide to protein degradation systems
Abstract. The Caenorhabditis Genetics Center is launching a new website feature—“Curated Special Collections”—designed to help researchers navigate the eve
academic.oup.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Excited to see this out in the world. The CGC is launching a curated strains collection, the first being protein degradation systems and this is a pilot primer to pair with it authored by myself, Dave Reiner, Ann Rougvie, and Aric Daul. We review the state of the field and provide use guidance (1)
I have an answer. He’s just another self promoting D-bag who traded in legit credentials for cash.
January 25, 2026 at 12:58 AM
I have an answer. He’s just another self promoting D-bag who traded in legit credentials for cash.
One reason to have kids is that they sometimes do clever things. (Note the signs on the side of the trail)
January 25, 2026 at 12:51 AM
One reason to have kids is that they sometimes do clever things. (Note the signs on the side of the trail)
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Absolutely essential
NIH needs statutory protections against partisan politicized decision-making - especially around grant terminations. This bill is a solid start to achieving those aims.
degette.house.gov/media-center...
degette.house.gov/media-center...
DeGette Introduces Bill to Protect NIH From Political Interference
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes...
degette.house.gov
January 24, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Absolutely essential
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
January 21, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Going through boxes of old tee shirts today…
January 17, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Going through boxes of old tee shirts today…
Cool paper from Ron Ellis and colleagues.
Haldane’s law works through X:Autosome incompatibility in Caenorhabditis briggsae/C. nigoni hybrids - Nature Communications
Haldane’s rule suggests that in hybrid crosses, the heterogametic sex is often rare or sterile. This study crosses Caenorhabditis nematodes, and determines that an underlying feature of Haldane’s rule...
www.nature.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Cool paper from Ron Ellis and colleagues.
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Job alert! Assistant professor position in the Department of Molecular Genetics (University of Toronto). Amazing department and city. jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-... Please share.
Assistant Professor - Virology
Assistant Professor - Virology
jobs.utoronto.ca
January 15, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Job alert! Assistant professor position in the Department of Molecular Genetics (University of Toronto). Amazing department and city. jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-... Please share.
Somewhat humorously, when you google "SciENcv opinions", this is the top hit. I've also been told that it will be far less informative for reviewers because you can't easily figure out what the applicant has accomplished publication-wise.
January 16, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Somewhat humorously, when you google "SciENcv opinions", this is the top hit. I've also been told that it will be far less informative for reviewers because you can't easily figure out what the applicant has accomplished publication-wise.
When I was the DGS of an umbrella-type PhD program, I worked to put in a rule that PhD students needed a minimum of one 1st-author research paper to graduate. The main intent was to protect students from advisors that were slackers about publishing. No 1st-author pubs really hurts students. 1/3
January 9, 2026 at 1:44 AM
When I was the DGS of an umbrella-type PhD program, I worked to put in a rule that PhD students needed a minimum of one 1st-author research paper to graduate. The main intent was to protect students from advisors that were slackers about publishing. No 1st-author pubs really hurts students. 1/3
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
Qiuyuan Yin, Chonglin Yang et al. reveal a plasma membrane-to-lysosome signaling pathway mediated by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FGR and the serine/threonine kinase AKT2, which regulates TFEB/TFE3 activation for #lysosome biogenesis in #endocytosis. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#Organelles
#Organelles
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Qiuyuan Yin, Chonglin Yang et al. reveal a plasma membrane-to-lysosome signaling pathway mediated by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FGR and the serine/threonine kinase AKT2, which regulates TFEB/TFE3 activation for #lysosome biogenesis in #endocytosis. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#Organelles
#Organelles
Reposted by Wyoming Wormboy
New preprint alert: we use sign errors as a test of how well TWAS works.
Very worryingly we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 1/3 of the time (compared to 50% for pure guessing). You can read more about our analysis here, and what we think is going on 👇
Very worryingly we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 1/3 of the time (compared to 50% for pure guessing). You can read more about our analysis here, and what we think is going on 👇
How well does TWAS estimate a gene’s direction of effect on a trait? We think of this as an important stress-test for the accuracy of TWAS.
In a new pre-print, we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 20-30% of the time!
doi.org/10.64898/202...
1/n
In a new pre-print, we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 20-30% of the time!
doi.org/10.64898/202...
1/n
High false sign rates in transcriptome-wide association studies
Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) are widely used to identify genes involved in complex traits and to infer the direction of gene effects on traits. However, despite their popularity, it r...
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 2:48 AM
New preprint alert: we use sign errors as a test of how well TWAS works.
Very worryingly we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 1/3 of the time (compared to 50% for pure guessing). You can read more about our analysis here, and what we think is going on 👇
Very worryingly we find that TWAS gets the sign wrong around 1/3 of the time (compared to 50% for pure guessing). You can read more about our analysis here, and what we think is going on 👇