Igor Brodsky
@brodskyigorlab.bsky.social
Innate immunity/host-pathogen interactions. Husband, father, former Soviet immigrant. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We just launched the biggest primary program in Indivisible’s history. Help us (literally) send Schumer and the surrender caucus a message. open.substack.com/pub/ezralevi...
Democratic leaders failed us again. Time to get some new leaders.
Indivisible's weekly newsletter with analysis and action
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
We just launched the biggest primary program in Indivisible’s history. Help us (literally) send Schumer and the surrender caucus a message. open.substack.com/pub/ezralevi...
😱
NEW: Billions of pounds of food are imported to the U.S. each year.
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
😱
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
The Coming Out of a Transgender Scientist
"I know that I am making the right decision because whenever I think about changing my gender role, I am flooded with feelings of relief."
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
April 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
My quote of the day
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
November 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
My quote of the day
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We have a new timeline up today on our Medical Research Funding page, documenting the onslaught of political, legal, and bureaucratic attacks on medical research since January:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Medical Research Funding: Timeline — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
We have a new timeline up today on our Medical Research Funding page, documenting the onslaught of political, legal, and bureaucratic attacks on medical research since January:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The US funds the bulk of biomedical research globally by far. It's not like other countries can simply take up the slack. The more likely: people leave research, new people don't become researchers. There is no happy ending. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
A poll from the journal Nature found that 75% of researchers in the U.S. are considering leaving the country. That includes a man who’s been dubbed the "Mozart of Math." Stephanie Sy examines what’s b...
www.pbs.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The US funds the bulk of biomedical research globally by far. It's not like other countries can simply take up the slack. The more likely: people leave research, new people don't become researchers. There is no happy ending. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The Depression began after Wall Street stocks crashed 96 years ago today, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminds us. She cites a wildly off-base claim heard then & now:
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
October 28, 2025
In the election of 1920, Americans handed a landslide victory to the Republicans and their presidential candidate Warren G.
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The Depression began after Wall Street stocks crashed 96 years ago today, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminds us. She cites a wildly off-base claim heard then & now:
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Principal Scientist, Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies
Develop a research program in the advancement of immunological therapies.Play a crucial role in all aspects of research development, implementation, a...
arizona.csod.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
New US Dark Age incoming.
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
New US Dark Age incoming.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Looking for a home for your biochemistry preprint? We publish studies into biological molecules or chemical approaches that illuminate biological processes.
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
October 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Looking for a home for your biochemistry preprint? We publish studies into biological molecules or chemical approaches that illuminate biological processes.
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Is this accurate?!? Re Harvard CCB
"Chemistry and Chemical Biology will go down to four or five admits, one of the professors added."
"Chemistry and Chemical Biology will go down to four or five admits, one of the professors added."
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Is this accurate?!? Re Harvard CCB
"Chemistry and Chemical Biology will go down to four or five admits, one of the professors added."
"Chemistry and Chemical Biology will go down to four or five admits, one of the professors added."
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
A decade ago, research said giving young children peanut products can prevent allergies. A new study says that, 10 years later, tens of thousands of U.S. children have avoided allergies as a result. n.pr/4o3hKJO
Reversing peanut advice prevented tens of thousands of allergy cases, researchers say
A decade ago, research said giving young children peanut products can prevent allergies. A new study says that, 10 years later, tens of thousands of U.S. children have avoided allergies as a result.
n.pr
October 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A decade ago, research said giving young children peanut products can prevent allergies. A new study says that, 10 years later, tens of thousands of U.S. children have avoided allergies as a result. n.pr/4o3hKJO
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
October 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow embodied what a journalist should be: someone who holds power to account instead of capitulating to it.
Over 70 years later, his segment denouncing Joe McCarthy’s congressional witch hunts rings truer than ever.
Over 70 years later, his segment denouncing Joe McCarthy’s congressional witch hunts rings truer than ever.
October 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow embodied what a journalist should be: someone who holds power to account instead of capitulating to it.
Over 70 years later, his segment denouncing Joe McCarthy’s congressional witch hunts rings truer than ever.
Over 70 years later, his segment denouncing Joe McCarthy’s congressional witch hunts rings truer than ever.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
October 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
RIFs at CDC.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
October 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
RIFs at CDC.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
My quote of the day
Nobody ever thanks you for saving them from the disease they didn't know they were going to get.
William Foege
Nobody ever thanks you for saving them from the disease they didn't know they were going to get.
William Foege
October 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
My quote of the day
Nobody ever thanks you for saving them from the disease they didn't know they were going to get.
William Foege
Nobody ever thanks you for saving them from the disease they didn't know they were going to get.
William Foege
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
One week from today, in front of NIH, 10am-12pm
Rally to Defend Medical Research
NIH/Medical Center Metro stop
Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
Rally to Defend Medical Research
NIH/Medical Center Metro stop
Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
NO KINGS NIH --Defend Medical Research · Mobilize
**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.**
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Bo...
www.mobilize.us
October 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
One week from today, in front of NIH, 10am-12pm
Rally to Defend Medical Research
NIH/Medical Center Metro stop
Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
Rally to Defend Medical Research
NIH/Medical Center Metro stop
Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
This is great. Thanks 🙏🏼 for these @lizneeley.bsky.social. Meeting the Moment is a bit of light in the darkness.
Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Week 38
Oct 4-10, 2025 - failure state
buttondown.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This is great. Thanks 🙏🏼 for these @lizneeley.bsky.social. Meeting the Moment is a bit of light in the darkness.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
They have fired the staff of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, who are disease detectives that respond to outbreaks around the world.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
October 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
They have fired the staff of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, who are disease detectives that respond to outbreaks around the world.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by acute, intermittent, recurrent episodes of airway inflammation. A decade of work developing the tools, techniques and collaborations needed to figure out how CD4+ T cells in the lungs propagate disease can be found here:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Tertiary lymphoid structures support the development of allergen-specific progenitor CD4+ T cells
Tissue-resident memory CD4+ T cells (TRM) are key sentinels of the adaptive immune response that provide a rapid, robust inflammatory response upon reactivation in non-lymphoid tissues. While CD4+ TRM...
www.biorxiv.org
October 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by acute, intermittent, recurrent episodes of airway inflammation. A decade of work developing the tools, techniques and collaborations needed to figure out how CD4+ T cells in the lungs propagate disease can be found here:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
News accelerated as I wrote this week‘s debrief (proper post tomorrow, meanwhile get some sleep, friends)
buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Week 38
Oct 4-10, 2025 - failure state
buttondown.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:09 AM
News accelerated as I wrote this week‘s debrief (proper post tomorrow, meanwhile get some sleep, friends)
buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
I think the past few weeks have shown that, regardless of political affiliation, even media companies respond to effects on their bottom line. If you are upset with changes in your primary news source, consider changing it. Support the numerous organizations that value and deserve your patronage.
October 7, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I think the past few weeks have shown that, regardless of political affiliation, even media companies respond to effects on their bottom line. If you are upset with changes in your primary news source, consider changing it. Support the numerous organizations that value and deserve your patronage.