Alex Pike
@alexpike.bsky.social
assistant prof at Oberlin College 🧬 dna replication, biochemistry, telomeres, naps 👩🔬 she/her
https://sites.google.com/oberlin.edu/alexpike/research
https://sites.google.com/oberlin.edu/alexpike/research
Gotta take time to appreciate the small joys in life, like samples getting delivered at 8:30am to @plasmidsaurus.bsky.social and results getting emailed to you right at noon!
October 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Gotta take time to appreciate the small joys in life, like samples getting delivered at 8:30am to @plasmidsaurus.bsky.social and results getting emailed to you right at noon!
Our department is hiring a conservation ecologist!
See the job posting here & please share:
jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16671
See the job posting here & please share:
jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16671
Assistant Professor of Biology
The Biology Department at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences in conservation ecology. Initial appointment to this po...
jobs.oberlin.edu
August 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Our department is hiring a conservation ecologist!
See the job posting here & please share:
jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16671
See the job posting here & please share:
jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/16671
Reposted by Alex Pike
In #GENETICS, Grace Duke and Robert V. Skibbens report on novel gene deletion combinations with implications in cohesion activities and show their requirements in #yeast cell cycle progression and cell viability.
Read more: buff.ly/Fa2FAfQ
Read more: buff.ly/Fa2FAfQ
July 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
In #GENETICS, Grace Duke and Robert V. Skibbens report on novel gene deletion combinations with implications in cohesion activities and show their requirements in #yeast cell cycle progression and cell viability.
Read more: buff.ly/Fa2FAfQ
Read more: buff.ly/Fa2FAfQ
Reposted by Alex Pike
Grad student Gayathri Muthukumar investigates how the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), a hub for signaling proteins, helps regulate mitochondrial function. Her research aims to uncover how changes in the OMM’s protein makeup can fine-tune the behavior of individual mitochondria. #Sciencein60
July 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Grad student Gayathri Muthukumar investigates how the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), a hub for signaling proteins, helps regulate mitochondrial function. Her research aims to uncover how changes in the OMM’s protein makeup can fine-tune the behavior of individual mitochondria. #Sciencein60
Reposted by Alex Pike
Crick researchers have shown that the ‘pacemaker’ controlling yeast cell division is located inside the nucleus, rather than outside it as was previously thought.
This research was led by @nitinkapadia.bsky.social and Paul Nurse.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-06...
This research was led by @nitinkapadia.bsky.social and Paul Nurse.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-06...
Researchers show that the cell nucleus is the pacemaker for cell division
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that the 'pacemaker' controlling yeast cell division lies inside the nucleus rather than outside it, as previously thought. Having the pacemaker i...
www.crick.ac.uk
June 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Crick researchers have shown that the ‘pacemaker’ controlling yeast cell division is located inside the nucleus, rather than outside it as was previously thought.
This research was led by @nitinkapadia.bsky.social and Paul Nurse.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-06...
This research was led by @nitinkapadia.bsky.social and Paul Nurse.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-06...
Hopped onto the tenure track today! What were your favorite purchases when you started your lab? We're doing genetics and biochemistry in yeast 🧬
July 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hopped onto the tenure track today! What were your favorite purchases when you started your lab? We're doing genetics and biochemistry in yeast 🧬
Reposted by Alex Pike
Postdoc positions open in my lab (Francis Crick Institute) to study
1. initiation of DNA replication.
2. chromatin replication/epigenetic inheritance.
Great for biochemists, biophysicists and cryo-EM/cryo-tomography scientists.
Deadline 3 August 2025.
crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
1. initiation of DNA replication.
2. chromatin replication/epigenetic inheritance.
Great for biochemists, biophysicists and cryo-EM/cryo-tomography scientists.
Deadline 3 August 2025.
crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
June 20, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Postdoc positions open in my lab (Francis Crick Institute) to study
1. initiation of DNA replication.
2. chromatin replication/epigenetic inheritance.
Great for biochemists, biophysicists and cryo-EM/cryo-tomography scientists.
Deadline 3 August 2025.
crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
1. initiation of DNA replication.
2. chromatin replication/epigenetic inheritance.
Great for biochemists, biophysicists and cryo-EM/cryo-tomography scientists.
Deadline 3 August 2025.
crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
Reposted by Alex Pike
Breaking news: The National Institutes of Health has ceased terminating grants on politically sensitive topics after a federal judge ruled last week that the cancellations were illegal.
scim.ag/4l9MO8Y
scim.ag/4l9MO8Y
Following court order, NIH ceases new terminations of politically sensitive grants
After a judge told agency to restore hundreds of killed grants, NIH backs off plans to cancel more existing projects
scim.ag
June 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Breaking news: The National Institutes of Health has ceased terminating grants on politically sensitive topics after a federal judge ruled last week that the cancellations were illegal.
scim.ag/4l9MO8Y
scim.ag/4l9MO8Y
Reposted by Alex Pike
Especially in file names
Please, mentees, I am begging you
Please, mentees, I am begging you
June 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Especially in file names
Please, mentees, I am begging you
Please, mentees, I am begging you
Reposted by Alex Pike
The NIH has said it will implement a "new award stucture" by October.
But researchers say it is absolutely senseless and reckless to cut off funding without an alternative in place.
I spoke to nine affected researchers.
This is their story.
But researchers say it is absolutely senseless and reckless to cut off funding without an alternative in place.
I spoke to nine affected researchers.
This is their story.
NIH grant cuts will axe clinical trials abroad — and could leave thousands without care
US agency’s new policy could abruptly end studies of infectious diseases and cancer, leaving researchers scrambling for funds.
www.nature.com
June 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The NIH has said it will implement a "new award stucture" by October.
But researchers say it is absolutely senseless and reckless to cut off funding without an alternative in place.
I spoke to nine affected researchers.
This is their story.
But researchers say it is absolutely senseless and reckless to cut off funding without an alternative in place.
I spoke to nine affected researchers.
This is their story.
Reposted by Alex Pike
URGENT: FlyBase has lost practically all its funding overnight; even user fees are tied up in denied grant funding. 🤬🤯
Any lab using @flybase.bsky.social please donate using the link in post below.
This incredible community, on whose backs our #Drosophila labs depend, can't be left out to dry.
Any lab using @flybase.bsky.social please donate using the link in post below.
This incredible community, on whose backs our #Drosophila labs depend, can't be left out to dry.
My lab studies bacterial infections. We spend a lot of time looking at (or for) species-specific genetic and genomic databases for hosts and microbes. FlyBase is the best of all—there is literally no comparison. Its existence is under threat. Please donate.
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
Drosophila Genetic Database
The Drosophila Genetic Database, FlyBase, is on the brink of collapse due to the sudden termination of the FlyBase NIH grant, which includes salaries for 5 literature curators based at the University ...
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk
June 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
URGENT: FlyBase has lost practically all its funding overnight; even user fees are tied up in denied grant funding. 🤬🤯
Any lab using @flybase.bsky.social please donate using the link in post below.
This incredible community, on whose backs our #Drosophila labs depend, can't be left out to dry.
Any lab using @flybase.bsky.social please donate using the link in post below.
This incredible community, on whose backs our #Drosophila labs depend, can't be left out to dry.
Reposted by Alex Pike
Re-upping this: I curated a YouTube playlist on molecular biology. I use it to train undergrads and new grad students. I usually have them watch the playlist first before showing them how to do in the lab.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Molecular_Bio - YouTube
www.youtube.com
May 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Re-upping this: I curated a YouTube playlist on molecular biology. I use it to train undergrads and new grad students. I usually have them watch the playlist first before showing them how to do in the lab.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Reposted by Alex Pike
This framing is all wrong
Our international students are not a “crucial funding source”
They are our STUDENTS
They are the reason we EXIST
We teach STUDENTS
Our international students are not a “crucial funding source”
They are our STUDENTS
They are the reason we EXIST
We teach STUDENTS
May 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This framing is all wrong
Our international students are not a “crucial funding source”
They are our STUDENTS
They are the reason we EXIST
We teach STUDENTS
Our international students are not a “crucial funding source”
They are our STUDENTS
They are the reason we EXIST
We teach STUDENTS
Reposted by Alex Pike
Our country is under attack by our own President. He wants everyone - persons and institutions alike - to tremble in fear of saying something that he dislikes. These attacks are not only wrong and contrary to the highest U.S. ideals, they are unlawful viewpoint based conditions. 1/x
🚨This is a HUGE escalation and a deliberate effort to use the government against Trump's enemies. Weaponizing the Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification against Harvard to punish them for pushing back is a new low — and needlessly punishes thousands of innocent students.
Trump just revoked the ability for foreign students to enroll at Harvard. Every foreign student, which is in the thousands, enrolled for next year at Harvard will not be able to continue studying if this isn't challenged in court.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/u...
May 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our country is under attack by our own President. He wants everyone - persons and institutions alike - to tremble in fear of saying something that he dislikes. These attacks are not only wrong and contrary to the highest U.S. ideals, they are unlawful viewpoint based conditions. 1/x
Reposted by Alex Pike
Harvard today, your institution tomorrow.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
May 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Harvard today, your institution tomorrow.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
Reposted by Alex Pike
definitely worth checking surplus lab equipment vendors — some items are barely used or even brand new — as a way of getting around the tariffs
May 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
definitely worth checking surplus lab equipment vendors — some items are barely used or even brand new — as a way of getting around the tariffs
an exciting time to receive your start-up funds 💸
Tariff surcharges become reality for doing science --coming to your appliance and grocery stores soon 🧪
May 19, 2025 at 7:07 PM
an exciting time to receive your start-up funds 💸
Reposted by Alex Pike
Wow.
Having a hard time processing this. HHMI is pausing all competitions. Very demoralizing for early career scientists like me @hhmi.org
May 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Wow.
Reposted by Alex Pike
We have updated our database of funding opportunities for Early-Career Researchers (private foundations, federal, international)
We have 456 entries, for which we provide $ amount, deadline, eligibility criteria, etc.
Download this massive database here for free: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
We have 456 entries, for which we provide $ amount, deadline, eligibility criteria, etc.
Download this massive database here for free: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
May 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We have updated our database of funding opportunities for Early-Career Researchers (private foundations, federal, international)
We have 456 entries, for which we provide $ amount, deadline, eligibility criteria, etc.
Download this massive database here for free: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
We have 456 entries, for which we provide $ amount, deadline, eligibility criteria, etc.
Download this massive database here for free: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
Excited to be jumping onto the tenure track at Oberlin after a couple of years as a visiting prof!! www.oberlin.edu/news/oberlin...
Oberlin Welcomes Tenure-Track Faculty Members for the 2025-2026 Academic Year | Oberlin College and Conservatory
Scholars and performers bring world-class expertise in arts, sciences, and the humanities.
www.oberlin.edu
May 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Excited to be jumping onto the tenure track at Oberlin after a couple of years as a visiting prof!! www.oberlin.edu/news/oberlin...
Reposted by Alex Pike
“In essence, the EPA is proposing to roll back the clock on environmental protection and allow industry to release tons more toxic pollutants into the air we breathe,” Gillian C. Goobie, MD, PhD.
Read more about the impact of the EPA’s announcement to reconsider over 30 EPA regulations:
Read more about the impact of the EPA’s announcement to reconsider over 30 EPA regulations:
American Thoracic Society | Advocacy
The American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical society dedicated to accelerating the advancement of global respiratory health through…
site.thoracic.org
March 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
“In essence, the EPA is proposing to roll back the clock on environmental protection and allow industry to release tons more toxic pollutants into the air we breathe,” Gillian C. Goobie, MD, PhD.
Read more about the impact of the EPA’s announcement to reconsider over 30 EPA regulations:
Read more about the impact of the EPA’s announcement to reconsider over 30 EPA regulations:
Reposted by Alex Pike
Our top health official thinks castor oil cures measles, while his bosses cut funds to much of the most important medical research in the world.
The toll in disease and death is beyond our ability to imagine.
And the goddamned eggs still cost $9 a dozen.
Gift link: www.wsj.com/health/healt...
The toll in disease and death is beyond our ability to imagine.
And the goddamned eggs still cost $9 a dozen.
Gift link: www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Johns Hopkins Plans Staff Layoffs After $800 Million Grant Cuts
Local and international health research efforts are already winding down as the university braces for even more potential cuts.
www.wsj.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Our top health official thinks castor oil cures measles, while his bosses cut funds to much of the most important medical research in the world.
The toll in disease and death is beyond our ability to imagine.
And the goddamned eggs still cost $9 a dozen.
Gift link: www.wsj.com/health/healt...
The toll in disease and death is beyond our ability to imagine.
And the goddamned eggs still cost $9 a dozen.
Gift link: www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Alex Pike
Many of these grants are fellowships and training grants supporting smart young people interested in bettering the world through their research. It is sad to see NIH funding used as an indiscriminate tool of retribution.
March 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Many of these grants are fellowships and training grants supporting smart young people interested in bettering the world through their research. It is sad to see NIH funding used as an indiscriminate tool of retribution.
Reposted by Alex Pike
In #NextGenSequencing news, China now outright bans the imports of Illumina $ILMN machines in US Retaliation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
China Bans Imports of Illumina DNA Machines in US Retaliation
China banned the import of Illumina Inc. gene-sequencing machines as part of a wave of retaliatory measures against fresh US tariffs on all Chinese goods, deepening the US company’s woes in one of its...
www.bloomberg.com
March 4, 2025 at 9:55 AM
In #NextGenSequencing news, China now outright bans the imports of Illumina $ILMN machines in US Retaliation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...