Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
@bcellorg.bsky.social
Professor. CRC. University of Alberta. University of Michigan. Diabetes. Biobanking. Cells, tissues, data. HumanIslets.com, IsletCore.ca, bcell.org
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
🧵(1/12) November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we have many works coming out from the CIRTN labs focusing on islet biology and diabetes. For the beginning of Nov 2025, we have papers from Drs Thompson, Verchere, Chen, Dhanvantari, Hill, Hoesli, Kin, Levings, Lynn, Riddell, Rutter and Wheeler.
November 17, 2025 at 11:26 PM
🧵(1/12) November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we have many works coming out from the CIRTN labs focusing on islet biology and diabetes. For the beginning of Nov 2025, we have papers from Drs Thompson, Verchere, Chen, Dhanvantari, Hill, Hoesli, Kin, Levings, Lynn, Riddell, Rutter and Wheeler.
'Icicle kick' goes viral: CPL final tops 1 billion views
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/aaa9fec50b2b595cc0291494fc97e4bd10e7d6945d5c457e0bfa75d42846a705/0b881bb4-068b-47e1-aa08-df6969c9f628
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/aaa9fec50b2b595cc0291494fc97e4bd10e7d6945d5c457e0bfa75d42846a705/0b881bb4-068b-47e1-aa08-df6969c9f628
November 14, 2025 at 5:45 PM
'Icicle kick' goes viral: CPL final tops 1 billion views
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/aaa9fec50b2b595cc0291494fc97e4bd10e7d6945d5c457e0bfa75d42846a705/0b881bb4-068b-47e1-aa08-df6969c9f628
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/aaa9fec50b2b595cc0291494fc97e4bd10e7d6945d5c457e0bfa75d42846a705/0b881bb4-068b-47e1-aa08-df6969c9f628
“The New York Times found that at critical points, as measles was gaining new footholds in Canada, provincial politicians stopped public health officials from speaking out about the value of getting vaccinated”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
Canada Is About to Lose Its Status as Having Eliminated Measles
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
“The New York Times found that at critical points, as measles was gaining new footholds in Canada, provincial politicians stopped public health officials from speaking out about the value of getting vaccinated”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Robert Munsch has donated his personal archives of stories and materials to the Guelph Public Library.
This is wonderful for such a valuable archive to be given to a public municipal library.
www.guelphpl.ca/Modules/News...
This is wonderful for such a valuable archive to be given to a public municipal library.
www.guelphpl.ca/Modules/News...
Robert Munsch donates his archives to Guelph Public Library
Robert Munsch donates his archives to Guelph Public Library
www.guelphpl.ca
November 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Robert Munsch has donated his personal archives of stories and materials to the Guelph Public Library.
This is wonderful for such a valuable archive to be given to a public municipal library.
www.guelphpl.ca/Modules/News...
This is wonderful for such a valuable archive to be given to a public municipal library.
www.guelphpl.ca/Modules/News...
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Budget analysis part 1
Canadian Federal Budget 2025 Part 1
YouTube video by Higher Education Strategy Associates
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Budget analysis part 1
How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as you think. - Globe and Mail
November 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM
How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as you think. - Globe and Mail
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
🧵(1/4) We have finished up October 2025 🎃, and the CIRTN groups had several more publications coming from the labs of Drs Rennian Wang, Megan Levings and Marc Prentki.
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🧵(1/4) We have finished up October 2025 🎃, and the CIRTN groups had several more publications coming from the labs of Drs Rennian Wang, Megan Levings and Marc Prentki.
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
This! Fancy web interfaces let you explore the data, but they are not the same as sharing the data. You can do both!
PSA: it’s all great if you provide an interactive dashboard to browse the data you painstakingly generated. But please do back up the data on persistent archive like zenodo. It’s too bad we can’t access the database when inevitably the server goes down and you moved onto other projects/institutions
October 31, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This! Fancy web interfaces let you explore the data, but they are not the same as sharing the data. You can do both!
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
If you are a Canadian scientist interested in the protection of identifying information about applicants and reviewers of tricouncil grants please read and sign this letter. Thank you. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Open Letter to Protect Tri-Council EDI Data
Why do we need urgent action to protect our data?
The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research is to review and report on topics relating to science and research in ...
docs.google.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If you are a Canadian scientist interested in the protection of identifying information about applicants and reviewers of tricouncil grants please read and sign this letter. Thank you. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
📢 Support Our Science in the news!
We’re proud to be featured in CTV News’ latest story on Canada’s emerging “brain gain” — a scientific migration as researchers look north amid challenges in the U.S.
We’re proud to be featured in CTV News’ latest story on Canada’s emerging “brain gain” — a scientific migration as researchers look north amid challenges in the U.S.
Over 600 scientists-half from the U.S.-raised their hand for a position at Toronto’s University Health Network- meet one who has moved to 🇨🇦. A scientific migration amid U.S turmoil
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic... @ctvnews-mirror.bsky.social @uhn.ca @supportourscience.bsky.social
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic... @ctvnews-mirror.bsky.social @uhn.ca @supportourscience.bsky.social
Canada’s brain gain: A scientific migration amid U.S turmoil
More than 600 scientists – about half from the U.S. – ‘raise their hands’ as they compete for positions at a Canadian Hospital.
www.ctvnews.ca
October 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
📢 Support Our Science in the news!
We’re proud to be featured in CTV News’ latest story on Canada’s emerging “brain gain” — a scientific migration as researchers look north amid challenges in the U.S.
We’re proud to be featured in CTV News’ latest story on Canada’s emerging “brain gain” — a scientific migration as researchers look north amid challenges in the U.S.
Interesting paper, but does anyone know if the claim that “…The datasets (genome-wide raw sequencing and individual-level clinical data) … are not publicly available due to EU and national legislation” is reasonable?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21595-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21595-1
October 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Interesting paper, but does anyone know if the claim that “…The datasets (genome-wide raw sequencing and individual-level clinical data) … are not publicly available due to EU and national legislation” is reasonable?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21595-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21595-1
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
🧵(1/4) For the first half of October 2025 we have 3 publications from the CIRTN labs🍁. These papers are from the groups of Drs. Bruce Verchere, Yi-Chun Chen, Francis Lynn, James Shapiro, Tatsuya Kin and Guy Rutter!
October 16, 2025 at 1:57 AM
🧵(1/4) For the first half of October 2025 we have 3 publications from the CIRTN labs🍁. These papers are from the groups of Drs. Bruce Verchere, Yi-Chun Chen, Francis Lynn, James Shapiro, Tatsuya Kin and Guy Rutter!
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Today, #ForeverCanadian brought 230,000 petition signatures to Edmonton. Our volunteers will continue collecting signatures until October 28. We need your signature to reach our 300,000 requirement to keep Alberta in Canada.
#ableg #Yeg #Yyc #CdnPoli
#ableg #Yeg #Yyc #CdnPoli
October 3, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Today, #ForeverCanadian brought 230,000 petition signatures to Edmonton. Our volunteers will continue collecting signatures until October 28. We need your signature to reach our 300,000 requirement to keep Alberta in Canada.
#ableg #Yeg #Yyc #CdnPoli
#ableg #Yeg #Yyc #CdnPoli
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
🧵(1/7)We are now out of September🍁! From the last two weeks we have had publications from the CIRTN labs of Drs Jenny Bruin, Mourad Ferdaoussi, Peter Light, Patrick MacDonald, James Shapiro and Bruce Verchere!
October 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
🧵(1/7)We are now out of September🍁! From the last two weeks we have had publications from the CIRTN labs of Drs Jenny Bruin, Mourad Ferdaoussi, Peter Light, Patrick MacDonald, James Shapiro and Bruce Verchere!
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of islet cell dysfunction in #T1D highlighting pathways that may be leveraged to preserve residual β-cell function and modulate α-cell activity @bcellorg.bsky.social www.jci.org/articles/vie...
September 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of islet cell dysfunction in #T1D highlighting pathways that may be leveraged to preserve residual β-cell function and modulate α-cell activity @bcellorg.bsky.social www.jci.org/articles/vie...
Yesterday we celebrated our 600th human research islet isolation in support of diabetes research (and then last night isolated the islets in the pic). I’m very fortunate to work with such a dedicated team! See more at www.isletcore.ca
September 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Yesterday we celebrated our 600th human research islet isolation in support of diabetes research (and then last night isolated the islets in the pic). I’m very fortunate to work with such a dedicated team! See more at www.isletcore.ca
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Join us for the revival of the Islet Biology and Diabetes Keystone symposia in Breckenridge, Colorado on March 16-19, 2026, for great science and great skiing. You can register now for early bird rates: lnkd.in/dw59T7tc Joint with Gut-Brain Axis. @linnemannlab.bsky.social Erica Nishimura, Barak Blum
September 24, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Join us for the revival of the Islet Biology and Diabetes Keystone symposia in Breckenridge, Colorado on March 16-19, 2026, for great science and great skiing. You can register now for early bird rates: lnkd.in/dw59T7tc Joint with Gut-Brain Axis. @linnemannlab.bsky.social Erica Nishimura, Barak Blum
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
My column in the Globe & Mail:
“Those challenges notwithstanding, separation is clearly not the answer. Even the talk of separation damages Alberta’s reputation, creates uncertainty, drives away talent and investment, and divides communities.”
#cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
“Those challenges notwithstanding, separation is clearly not the answer. Even the talk of separation damages Alberta’s reputation, creates uncertainty, drives away talent and investment, and divides communities.”
#cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Yes, Canadians - Albertans do want to stay in Canada
Don’t believe the separatist rhetoric of a few vocal and misguided pundits
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:49 AM
My column in the Globe & Mail:
“Those challenges notwithstanding, separation is clearly not the answer. Even the talk of separation damages Alberta’s reputation, creates uncertainty, drives away talent and investment, and divides communities.”
#cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
“Those challenges notwithstanding, separation is clearly not the answer. Even the talk of separation damages Alberta’s reputation, creates uncertainty, drives away talent and investment, and divides communities.”
#cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Decision to cancel my season tix….justified again.
Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal www.stalbertgazette.com/beyond-local... Quite the scoop from @brettmckay.bsky.social
Beyond Local: Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal
The foundation says Win50 is responsible for all costs related to running the raffle, including additional prizes, television and radio commercials, promotion and advertising, the raffle technology pl...
www.stalbertgazette.com
September 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Decision to cancel my season tix….justified again.
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Research is the key to unlocking Canada’s future and it needs proper funding.
The federal government must uphold its Budget 2024 commitment to Canadian researchers.
Read the Coalition for Canadian Research’s open letter: www.caut.ca/news/coaliti...
The federal government must uphold its Budget 2024 commitment to Canadian researchers.
Read the Coalition for Canadian Research’s open letter: www.caut.ca/news/coaliti...
Coalition for Canadian Research calls on federal government to fulfil the Budget 2024 research commitments
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.Prime Minister of CanadaOffice of the Prime Minister80 Wellington StreetOttawa, ON K1A 0A2
www.caut.ca
September 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Research is the key to unlocking Canada’s future and it needs proper funding.
The federal government must uphold its Budget 2024 commitment to Canadian researchers.
Read the Coalition for Canadian Research’s open letter: www.caut.ca/news/coaliti...
The federal government must uphold its Budget 2024 commitment to Canadian researchers.
Read the Coalition for Canadian Research’s open letter: www.caut.ca/news/coaliti...
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Join us this Friday am, in person or online, for new insights into #Islet biology-what should we strive for in islet cell replacement therapy?-some thoughts from Professor Powers, a leader in the field in characterizing human islets across the lifespan #diabetes
Friday September 26 @uoftmedicine.bsky.social @sinaihealth.bsky.social The 2025 Gerard N Burrow Lecture. Professor Alvin Powers #islets #diabetes #T1D #T2D @vubasicsciences.bsky.social 8 am Mt. Sinai Join us!
September 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦
Hello! Welcome to the CIRTN-R2FIC BlueSky account! Our group focuses on researching pancreatic islet biology and pathology related to islets such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Here you will find bi-weekly updates from the scientists from across Canada that make up CIRTN-R2FIC.
Here you will find bi-weekly updates from the scientists from across Canada that make up CIRTN-R2FIC.
September 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Hello! Welcome to the CIRTN-R2FIC BlueSky account! Our group focuses on researching pancreatic islet biology and pathology related to islets such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Here you will find bi-weekly updates from the scientists from across Canada that make up CIRTN-R2FIC.
Here you will find bi-weekly updates from the scientists from across Canada that make up CIRTN-R2FIC.
Spatially Bound Functional Heterogeneity Drives Modular Organization in Beta Cell Networks
Maja Duh Marko Šterk, Lidija Križančić Bombek, Patrick E MacDonald, Andraž Stožer, Marko Gosak
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40765144/
Maja Duh Marko Šterk, Lidija Križančić Bombek, Patrick E MacDonald, Andraž Stožer, Marko Gosak
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40765144/
Spatially Bound Functional Heterogeneity Drives Modular Organization in Beta Cell Networks - PubMed
Coordinated responses of pancreatic beta cell networks to changes in extracellular nutrient concentrations are a well-established phenomenon with significant implications for insulin secretion. This s...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
August 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Spatially Bound Functional Heterogeneity Drives Modular Organization in Beta Cell Networks
Maja Duh Marko Šterk, Lidija Križančić Bombek, Patrick E MacDonald, Andraž Stožer, Marko Gosak
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40765144/
Maja Duh Marko Šterk, Lidija Križančić Bombek, Patrick E MacDonald, Andraž Stožer, Marko Gosak
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40765144/