Alper Akay
@alperakay.bsky.social
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow / Group Leader. RNA (epi)Genetics of C. elegans. Views are my own. Likes and re-posts are not necessarily for endorsement. www.theakaylab.com
Pinned
Alper Akay
@alperakay.bsky.social
· Oct 12
How do RNA molecules shape genome regulation in the nervous system? (AKAY_U26CASE) | Doctoral Training Partnership
This PhD project will investigate how RNA modifications influence the activity of topoisomerase I (TOP1), a crucial enzyme that regulates DNA supercoiling during replication and transcription. Using C...
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
New BBSRC funded PhD opportunity in my group with Inspiralis Ltd and @conradn.bsky.social. If you are interested in RNA - protein interactions and RNA modifications check the details below for how to apply. @nrpdtp.bsky.social @biouea.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social tinyurl.com/bdzvn4dr
Reposted by Alper Akay
Katarzyna Hencel, @alperakay.bsky.social, @drsull.bsky.social & co demonstrate an
accessible and affordable assay to measure #vitaminB12 in biological samples. doi.org/10.1242/bio....
accessible and affordable assay to measure #vitaminB12 in biological samples. doi.org/10.1242/bio....
November 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Katarzyna Hencel, @alperakay.bsky.social, @drsull.bsky.social & co demonstrate an
accessible and affordable assay to measure #vitaminB12 in biological samples. doi.org/10.1242/bio....
accessible and affordable assay to measure #vitaminB12 in biological samples. doi.org/10.1242/bio....
“The Guardian reported on Tuesday that British military equipment licensed for export to the UAE had been used by the RSF and found on battlefields in Sudan, according to documents seen by the UN security council” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
“The Guardian reported on Tuesday that British military equipment licensed for export to the UAE had been used by the RSF and found on battlefields in Sudan, according to documents seen by the UN security council” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
I can now vibe code, use HPC and analyse RNA sequencing data at large scale. LLMs are amazing for this. On the negative side, now I can see how bad some(most) of the published RNA-seq datasets are. We really need to insist that all sequencing datasets should come with their QC data.
October 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I can now vibe code, use HPC and analyse RNA sequencing data at large scale. LLMs are amazing for this. On the negative side, now I can see how bad some(most) of the published RNA-seq datasets are. We really need to insist that all sequencing datasets should come with their QC data.
This is a super interesting paper by @conradlab.bsky.social lab on METTL16. They separate METTL16 function on U6 and MAT2A allowing more accurate analysis. Their results cast serious doubt on hundreds of papers claiming METTL16 methylates vast number of mRNAs. www.cell.com/cell-reports...
The catalytic efficiency of METTL16 affects cellular processes by governing the intracellular S-adenosylmethionine setpoint
Flaherty et al. demonstrate that the catalytic efficiency of METTL16 regulates expression
of MAT2A to determine the intracellular SAM setpoint. Their data indicate that this
is required for several SA...
www.cell.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is a super interesting paper by @conradlab.bsky.social lab on METTL16. They separate METTL16 function on U6 and MAT2A allowing more accurate analysis. Their results cast serious doubt on hundreds of papers claiming METTL16 methylates vast number of mRNAs. www.cell.com/cell-reports...
This ceasefire or more accurately the “pause in genocide” will not last if the UN soldiers don’t get involved. Not that the UN has a great record in preventing genocides but thats still the best option. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Israel has violated ceasefire 47 times and killed 38 Palestinians, says Gaza media office
Authorities urge UN to intervene ‘to protect unarmed civilian populations’ after attack on bus that killed 11
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This ceasefire or more accurately the “pause in genocide” will not last if the UN soldiers don’t get involved. Not that the UN has a great record in preventing genocides but thats still the best option. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
“Many of my students are now dead” www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘The loss of education is the loss of the future itself’: Gaza’s children and teachers on two years without school
With 97% of schools destroyed or damaged, 600,000 children have just begun their third year out of formal education. Three students and a teacher share their stories – and their hopes
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:11 AM
“Many of my students are now dead” www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
I’m not surprised. I tried this with REF21 case studies by giving chatGPT 5 4* and 5 1/2* case studies and ask it to decide if the further case studies for likely 3/4* or 1/2* and it did a really good job matching known scores.
Generative AI ‘better than citation data’ for judging research quality.
Research (which is yet to be peer reviewed) suggests role for tools like ChatGPT in REF processes.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research (which is yet to be peer reviewed) suggests role for tools like ChatGPT in REF processes.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Generative AI ‘better than citation data’ for judging research quality - Research Professional News
Research yet to be peer reviewed suggests role for tools like ChatGPT in REF processes
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I’m not surprised. I tried this with REF21 case studies by giving chatGPT 5 4* and 5 1/2* case studies and ask it to decide if the further case studies for likely 3/4* or 1/2* and it did a really good job matching known scores.
Congratulations to Aykut Shen, one of my first PhD students, who has successfully passed his viva yesterday. Many thanks to examiners @conradn.bsky.social and @adamcribbs.bsky.social and co-supervisor/collaborator. @whaerty.bsky.social. @nrpdtp.bsky.social @biouea.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Congratulations to Aykut Shen, one of my first PhD students, who has successfully passed his viva yesterday. Many thanks to examiners @conradn.bsky.social and @adamcribbs.bsky.social and co-supervisor/collaborator. @whaerty.bsky.social. @nrpdtp.bsky.social @biouea.bsky.social
New BBSRC funded PhD opportunity in my group with Inspiralis Ltd and @conradn.bsky.social. If you are interested in RNA - protein interactions and RNA modifications check the details below for how to apply. @nrpdtp.bsky.social @biouea.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social tinyurl.com/bdzvn4dr
How do RNA molecules shape genome regulation in the nervous system? (AKAY_U26CASE) | Doctoral Training Partnership
This PhD project will investigate how RNA modifications influence the activity of topoisomerase I (TOP1), a crucial enzyme that regulates DNA supercoiling during replication and transcription. Using C...
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
New BBSRC funded PhD opportunity in my group with Inspiralis Ltd and @conradn.bsky.social. If you are interested in RNA - protein interactions and RNA modifications check the details below for how to apply. @nrpdtp.bsky.social @biouea.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social tinyurl.com/bdzvn4dr
Reposted by Alper Akay
‘Golden triangle’ institutions snap up 80% of AI supercomputer time.
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
‘Golden triangle’ institutions snap up 80% of AI supercomputer time - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:24 AM
‘Golden triangle’ institutions snap up 80% of AI supercomputer time.
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
“The reading, which was done in order of the ages of the deceased from youngest to oldest, began at 7am and, by the time the march reached it at around 13:45, still had notfinished the names of toddlers.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Police make arrests at Palestine Action protest as demo goes ahead despite PM’s pleas
Officers arrest activists at silent vigil in support of banned organisation
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“The reading, which was done in order of the ages of the deceased from youngest to oldest, began at 7am and, by the time the march reached it at around 13:45, still had notfinished the names of toddlers.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Alper Akay
Super successful workshop! Thank you very much to all the speakers including all the talent postdocs and students! @norwichrnaclub.bsky.social @johninnescentre.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social @alperakay.bsky.social @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Super successful workshop! Thank you very much to all the speakers including all the talent postdocs and students! @norwichrnaclub.bsky.social @johninnescentre.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social @alperakay.bsky.social @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social
The @molbiosystems.bsky.social was an absolutely fantastic meeting. So many amazing people doing so much amazing research. I learned many new things, made new friends and hopefully will have new collaborations and more excuses to return in two years. Big thanks to organisers and everyone else!
October 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The @molbiosystems.bsky.social was an absolutely fantastic meeting. So many amazing people doing so much amazing research. I learned many new things, made new friends and hopefully will have new collaborations and more excuses to return in two years. Big thanks to organisers and everyone else!
Reposted by Alper Akay
Can’t tell I am in Chile looking at the food I am eating.
September 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Can’t tell I am in Chile looking at the food I am eating.
This Thursday AI in RNA biology event organised by @yiliangding.bsky.social @norwichrnaclub.bsky.social! Don’t miss!
Our annual event at Norwich RNA Club: AI in RNA Biology. Great speakers! Please join us this Thursday at 2pm @norwichrnaclub.bsky.social @johninnescentre.bsky.social @earlhaminst.bsky.social @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social @alperakay.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
This Thursday AI in RNA biology event organised by @yiliangding.bsky.social @norwichrnaclub.bsky.social! Don’t miss!
Ready for the @molbiosystems.bsky.social conference at amazing Puerto Varas, Chile. What a wonderful location.
September 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Ready for the @molbiosystems.bsky.social conference at amazing Puerto Varas, Chile. What a wonderful location.
Super frustrating story on how NHS missed lyme disease and how ME/CFS has become an umbrella diagnosis for doctors. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
As my daughter got sicker and sicker, our quest for answers dragged on. How did we all miss the bacteria taking over her body?
I write about nature, but when Milly got sick with a mystery illness, it never occurred to me that a long-forgotten tick bite could be the cause
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Super frustrating story on how NHS missed lyme disease and how ME/CFS has become an umbrella diagnosis for doctors. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Reposted by Alper Akay
C. elegans is a real animal and we set out to understand how it comes to have its distinctive biogeography. Its ancestral center of diversity is in the higher elevation forests of Hawaii. Its closest relatives are spread across east Asia. Did they travel from Asia? [Preprint 🧵]
September 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
C. elegans is a real animal and we set out to understand how it comes to have its distinctive biogeography. Its ancestral center of diversity is in the higher elevation forests of Hawaii. Its closest relatives are spread across east Asia. Did they travel from Asia? [Preprint 🧵]
Reposted by Alper Akay
New cures feel sudden, but the seeds were planted decades ago by basic scientists.
Which seeds will turn into cures? Unpredictable looking forward, a straight line looking back. 🧪🧬 🧵
Which seeds will turn into cures? Unpredictable looking forward, a straight line looking back. 🧪🧬 🧵
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
New cures feel sudden, but the seeds were planted decades ago by basic scientists.
Which seeds will turn into cures? Unpredictable looking forward, a straight line looking back. 🧪🧬 🧵
Which seeds will turn into cures? Unpredictable looking forward, a straight line looking back. 🧪🧬 🧵
Removing portability of outputs has been very damaging to early career researchers as there is less incentive for universities to make new hires. Equally universities ca do mass lay offs beyond census window and still benefit from outputs. This is very damaging to research culture. @ukri.org
Use REF pause to review non-portability of outputs, urge scholars including @jennyrichards.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/use-ref... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Use REF pause to review non-portability of outputs, urge scholars
Breaking the link between researchers and their outputs harms academic mobility and disciplinary excellence, argue professors
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Removing portability of outputs has been very damaging to early career researchers as there is less incentive for universities to make new hires. Equally universities ca do mass lay offs beyond census window and still benefit from outputs. This is very damaging to research culture. @ukri.org
Our crab apple tree fruits every 2 years and we make yummy jelly! I’m not sure if anyone found C. elegans on rotting crab apples though.
September 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Our crab apple tree fruits every 2 years and we make yummy jelly! I’m not sure if anyone found C. elegans on rotting crab apples though.
It was great catching up with past and present @miskalab.bsky.social members to celebrate 20 years of Miska Lab. Thank you, Eric!
September 20, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It was great catching up with past and present @miskalab.bsky.social members to celebrate 20 years of Miska Lab. Thank you, Eric!