Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
@ertrunnell.bsky.social
neuroscientist 🧠 | Director @ https://www.scienceadvancement.org/ | Moving U.S. biomedical research toward humans & away from other animals | she/her/hers
Join us in advocating for a future where diabetes research is smarter, faster, & more humane.
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Join us in advocating for a future where diabetes research is smarter, faster, & more humane.
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
SAO's #ResearchModernizationNOW lays out practical steps for replacing outdated animal experiments with cutting-edge, human-focused science.
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
SAO's #ResearchModernizationNOW lays out practical steps for replacing outdated animal experiments with cutting-edge, human-focused science.
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
At @michiganstateu.bsky.social, @aaguirre1980.bsky.social et al. used human heart #organoids to mimic early heart development in #gestationaldiabetes, revealing its impact on infant heart cell function & metabolism.
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At @michiganstateu.bsky.social, @aaguirre1980.bsky.social et al. used human heart #organoids to mimic early heart development in #gestationaldiabetes, revealing its impact on infant heart cell function & metabolism.
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
At @cea.fr, Tubbs et al. combined human 3D blood vessel #organoids with pancreatic islets to form #assembloids.
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At @cea.fr, Tubbs et al. combined human 3D blood vessel #organoids with pancreatic islets to form #assembloids.
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
Scientists at @ufbme.bsky.social partnered w nPOD to collect live human pancreas slices from organ donors.
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Scientists at @ufbme.bsky.social partnered w nPOD to collect live human pancreas slices from organ donors.
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
💡 The future lies in human-based approaches—advanced in vitro systems, organoids, & computational models that capture the complexity & heterogeneity of diabetes & pave the way for precision therapies.
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
💡 The future lies in human-based approaches—advanced in vitro systems, organoids, & computational models that capture the complexity & heterogeneity of diabetes & pave the way for precision therapies.
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
For more on the shortcomings of #animalmodels of #T2D & what should replace them, check out this series of @pcrm.org reviews by Chandrasekera, Pippin, @drnealbarnard.pcrm.org, Lai, Wang, Ali, & Bunner in Curr Diabetes Rev, WJD, ALTEX, Nutr Diabetes, & ATLA.
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
For more on the shortcomings of #animalmodels of #T2D & what should replace them, check out this series of @pcrm.org reviews by Chandrasekera, Pippin, @drnealbarnard.pcrm.org, Lai, Wang, Ali, & Bunner in Curr Diabetes Rev, WJD, ALTEX, Nutr Diabetes, & ATLA.
🐁 Rodents ≠ humans: Genes, insulin signaling, pancreatic structure, glucose clearance, & disease course all differ.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
🐁 Rodents ≠ humans: Genes, insulin signaling, pancreatic structure, glucose clearance, & disease course all differ.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
Diabetes affects about 16% of U.S. adults, with millions more unaware they have the condition.
With such a heavy health and economic burden, advancing research that truly reflects human biology has never been more critical.
#WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesDay #DiabetesAwareness #T1D #T2D #GD
🧪 🧵
With such a heavy health and economic burden, advancing research that truly reflects human biology has never been more critical.
#WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesDay #DiabetesAwareness #T1D #T2D #GD
🧪 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Diabetes affects about 16% of U.S. adults, with millions more unaware they have the condition.
With such a heavy health and economic burden, advancing research that truly reflects human biology has never been more critical.
#WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesDay #DiabetesAwareness #T1D #T2D #GD
🧪 🧵
With such a heavy health and economic burden, advancing research that truly reflects human biology has never been more critical.
#WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesDay #DiabetesAwareness #T1D #T2D #GD
🧪 🧵
Human pluripotent stem cells allow scientists to model human tissues & organs without using animals, but labeling cell types & states accurately can be tricky.
Wang et al. propose a “stem cell-relevant manifold”—a large reference map combining human tissue & stem cell-derived data.
🧪
Wang et al. propose a “stem cell-relevant manifold”—a large reference map combining human tissue & stem cell-derived data.
🧪
November 13, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Human pluripotent stem cells allow scientists to model human tissues & organs without using animals, but labeling cell types & states accurately can be tricky.
Wang et al. propose a “stem cell-relevant manifold”—a large reference map combining human tissue & stem cell-derived data.
🧪
Wang et al. propose a “stem cell-relevant manifold”—a large reference map combining human tissue & stem cell-derived data.
🧪
In their @europeanrespsoc.bsky.social editorial, Metersky & Waterer say it all.
This is why funding & advocacy priorities for pneumonia must shift to human biology-based science. Sign our open letter to put the change into action: www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
🔚
This is why funding & advocacy priorities for pneumonia must shift to human biology-based science. Sign our open letter to put the change into action: www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
🔚
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
In their @europeanrespsoc.bsky.social editorial, Metersky & Waterer say it all.
This is why funding & advocacy priorities for pneumonia must shift to human biology-based science. Sign our open letter to put the change into action: www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
🔚
This is why funding & advocacy priorities for pneumonia must shift to human biology-based science. Sign our open letter to put the change into action: www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
🔚
This #WorldPneumoniaDay, let's talk pneumonia research modernization. 💡
Despite widespread use, animals cannot replicate the severity or complexity of pneumonia in humans.
To make real progress, we must support human-relevant, non-animal preclinical models.
#IDsky #microbiology 🧪 🧵
Despite widespread use, animals cannot replicate the severity or complexity of pneumonia in humans.
To make real progress, we must support human-relevant, non-animal preclinical models.
#IDsky #microbiology 🧪 🧵
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
This #WorldPneumoniaDay, let's talk pneumonia research modernization. 💡
Despite widespread use, animals cannot replicate the severity or complexity of pneumonia in humans.
To make real progress, we must support human-relevant, non-animal preclinical models.
#IDsky #microbiology 🧪 🧵
Despite widespread use, animals cannot replicate the severity or complexity of pneumonia in humans.
To make real progress, we must support human-relevant, non-animal preclinical models.
#IDsky #microbiology 🧪 🧵
🧑⚕️ Xenotransplantation is a less just solution to the organ crisis than alternatives like investment in prevention medicine.
🖨️ Xenotransplantation should not be allowed to crowd out research for more ethical solutions to the organ shortage, such as #bioprinted organs.
🖨️ Xenotransplantation should not be allowed to crowd out research for more ethical solutions to the organ shortage, such as #bioprinted organs.
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
🧑⚕️ Xenotransplantation is a less just solution to the organ crisis than alternatives like investment in prevention medicine.
🖨️ Xenotransplantation should not be allowed to crowd out research for more ethical solutions to the organ shortage, such as #bioprinted organs.
🖨️ Xenotransplantation should not be allowed to crowd out research for more ethical solutions to the organ shortage, such as #bioprinted organs.
💲 Compared to xenotransplantation, lower-cost solutions can be more efficient and avoid harmful exploitation.
🔒 Raising pigs in “biosecure” environments deprives them of natural behaviors and socialization.
🔒 Raising pigs in “biosecure” environments deprives them of natural behaviors and socialization.
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
💲 Compared to xenotransplantation, lower-cost solutions can be more efficient and avoid harmful exploitation.
🔒 Raising pigs in “biosecure” environments deprives them of natural behaviors and socialization.
🔒 Raising pigs in “biosecure” environments deprives them of natural behaviors and socialization.
Incredibly insightful article on #xenotransplantation from the @hastingscenter.bsky.social.
Bioethicists @jasminegunkel.bsky.social & Franklin G. Miller take a deep dive into xenotransplantation & explore its potential consequences for both patient & animal welfare.
Key points below 👇
Bioethicists @jasminegunkel.bsky.social & Franklin G. Miller take a deep dive into xenotransplantation & explore its potential consequences for both patient & animal welfare.
Key points below 👇
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Incredibly insightful article on #xenotransplantation from the @hastingscenter.bsky.social.
Bioethicists @jasminegunkel.bsky.social & Franklin G. Miller take a deep dive into xenotransplantation & explore its potential consequences for both patient & animal welfare.
Key points below 👇
Bioethicists @jasminegunkel.bsky.social & Franklin G. Miller take a deep dive into xenotransplantation & explore its potential consequences for both patient & animal welfare.
Key points below 👇
For all of the above reasons, many researchers are now turning to human-based lung models to study COPD.
#scipol #COPD #COPDAwareness 🧪
#scipol #COPD #COPDAwareness 🧪
![A yellow and green graphic with a cartoon image of lungs represented as a branch with leaves. Under a “COPD Awareness Month” bannder, a quote reads: “"[T]he dependence on murine models based on financial considerations and understanding of mouse genetics might be short-sighted since these models often do not resemble the human condition, and spending effort upfront to identify better models could prove more efficient.” Attribution: Williams & Roman (2015). J Pathol. doi: 10.1002/path.4658.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:in2pnzujy66a7qnesoxha6ar/bafkreickvsf23f463pp3wvydxgjarzeqqmvasmwt72rpfahlcbodavwi3u@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
For all of the above reasons, many researchers are now turning to human-based lung models to study COPD.
#scipol #COPD #COPDAwareness 🧪
#scipol #COPD #COPDAwareness 🧪
#COPD is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide.
Treatments barely slow progression or ease chronic inflammation.
Animal models have stalled progress; but human-based science can change that.
This #COPDAwarenessMonth, let’s clear the air & push for research that truly helps patients.
Long🧵
Treatments barely slow progression or ease chronic inflammation.
Animal models have stalled progress; but human-based science can change that.
This #COPDAwarenessMonth, let’s clear the air & push for research that truly helps patients.
Long🧵
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#COPD is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide.
Treatments barely slow progression or ease chronic inflammation.
Animal models have stalled progress; but human-based science can change that.
This #COPDAwarenessMonth, let’s clear the air & push for research that truly helps patients.
Long🧵
Treatments barely slow progression or ease chronic inflammation.
Animal models have stalled progress; but human-based science can change that.
This #COPDAwarenessMonth, let’s clear the air & push for research that truly helps patients.
Long🧵
Researchers at @niaidnews.bsky.social used human cerebral #organoids in a maximum containment setting to study Nipah virus replication & characterize infection-associated tissue damage.
by Gabriella Worwa et al., including @guspalpog.bsky.social
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#virology 🧪
by Gabriella Worwa et al., including @guspalpog.bsky.social
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#virology 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Researchers at @niaidnews.bsky.social used human cerebral #organoids in a maximum containment setting to study Nipah virus replication & characterize infection-associated tissue damage.
by Gabriella Worwa et al., including @guspalpog.bsky.social
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#virology 🧪
by Gabriella Worwa et al., including @guspalpog.bsky.social
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#virology 🧪
In this review, @gsilvani.bsky.social, Martina Stenzel, & @kriskilian.bsky.social of @nanomed-unsw.bsky.social discuss how advances in #organoids & perfusable MPS are transforming nanoparticle design & accelerating nanodrug development by enabling more predictive assessments of efficacy.
November 4, 2025 at 8:36 PM
In this review, @gsilvani.bsky.social, Martina Stenzel, & @kriskilian.bsky.social of @nanomed-unsw.bsky.social discuss how advances in #organoids & perfusable MPS are transforming nanoparticle design & accelerating nanodrug development by enabling more predictive assessments of efficacy.
New supporting evidence for the use of frozen human placentas in microsurgery #MedEd!
In a double-blind study, neurosurgeons were randomly assigned to train on either a defrosted (previously frozen) or fresh refrigerated human placenta to determine whether they provide comparable training value.
In a double-blind study, neurosurgeons were randomly assigned to train on either a defrosted (previously frozen) or fresh refrigerated human placenta to determine whether they provide comparable training value.
November 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
New supporting evidence for the use of frozen human placentas in microsurgery #MedEd!
In a double-blind study, neurosurgeons were randomly assigned to train on either a defrosted (previously frozen) or fresh refrigerated human placenta to determine whether they provide comparable training value.
In a double-blind study, neurosurgeons were randomly assigned to train on either a defrosted (previously frozen) or fresh refrigerated human placenta to determine whether they provide comparable training value.
The miBrain is the first human 3D brain platform to integrate six major cell types in a single culture.
The @picowerinstitute.bsky.social & @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social team used it to study the role of #APOE4 astrocytes in the pathology of #Alzheimers, a uniquely human disease.
#neuroskyence 🧪
The @picowerinstitute.bsky.social & @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social team used it to study the role of #APOE4 astrocytes in the pathology of #Alzheimers, a uniquely human disease.
#neuroskyence 🧪
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The miBrain is the first human 3D brain platform to integrate six major cell types in a single culture.
The @picowerinstitute.bsky.social & @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social team used it to study the role of #APOE4 astrocytes in the pathology of #Alzheimers, a uniquely human disease.
#neuroskyence 🧪
The @picowerinstitute.bsky.social & @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social team used it to study the role of #APOE4 astrocytes in the pathology of #Alzheimers, a uniquely human disease.
#neuroskyence 🧪
This new miBrain model from MIT has it all:
🧠 Neurons, microglia, oligodendroglia, astrocytes, pericytes, & brain microvascular endothelial cells
⚙️ Key features & functions of the human brain
👩👦 Specificity to individual donors
🧬 Customizability via gene editing
📈 Scalability for large projects
🧠 Neurons, microglia, oligodendroglia, astrocytes, pericytes, & brain microvascular endothelial cells
⚙️ Key features & functions of the human brain
👩👦 Specificity to individual donors
🧬 Customizability via gene editing
📈 Scalability for large projects
![Image from the MIT Picower article, "MIT invents human brain model with six major cell types to enable personalized disease research, drug discovery" with the following caption: “Cyan staining shows each of the six major cell types [pericytes, astrocytes, endothelial cells, neurons, oligodendrocytes, and microglia] integrated in a miBrain culture.” The original image appeared in Figure 1 of the PNAS article, “Engineered 3D immuno-glial-neurovascular human miBrain model” (10.1073/pnas.2511596122) by Stanton et al.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:in2pnzujy66a7qnesoxha6ar/bafkreig4udiootxzzdxay4vwclppbwedfythnr36dzzoavgbrzvz2m54va@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This new miBrain model from MIT has it all:
🧠 Neurons, microglia, oligodendroglia, astrocytes, pericytes, & brain microvascular endothelial cells
⚙️ Key features & functions of the human brain
👩👦 Specificity to individual donors
🧬 Customizability via gene editing
📈 Scalability for large projects
🧠 Neurons, microglia, oligodendroglia, astrocytes, pericytes, & brain microvascular endothelial cells
⚙️ Key features & functions of the human brain
👩👦 Specificity to individual donors
🧬 Customizability via gene editing
📈 Scalability for large projects
Serna et al. used hiPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes, coupled with multielectrode array recordings, to characterize the electrophysiological activity of human brain cells under baseline conditions, following opioid exposure, and after naloxone treatment.
#neuroskyence #MEA #invitro #hiPSC
#neuroskyence #MEA #invitro #hiPSC
November 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Serna et al. used hiPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes, coupled with multielectrode array recordings, to characterize the electrophysiological activity of human brain cells under baseline conditions, following opioid exposure, and after naloxone treatment.
#neuroskyence #MEA #invitro #hiPSC
#neuroskyence #MEA #invitro #hiPSC
Just out in NAM Journal 🧠 🧪
@fda.gov scientists demonstrated that human-based, in vitro models can effectively replicate key neural responses to opioids and their reversal.
#NAMs #opioidepidemic #publichealth
@fda.gov scientists demonstrated that human-based, in vitro models can effectively replicate key neural responses to opioids and their reversal.
#NAMs #opioidepidemic #publichealth
November 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Just out in NAM Journal 🧠 🧪
@fda.gov scientists demonstrated that human-based, in vitro models can effectively replicate key neural responses to opioids and their reversal.
#NAMs #opioidepidemic #publichealth
@fda.gov scientists demonstrated that human-based, in vitro models can effectively replicate key neural responses to opioids and their reversal.
#NAMs #opioidepidemic #publichealth
These experiments are justified by claiming animals are similar to humans, but permitted only because experimenters insist on certain fundamental differences.
#bioethics #animalethics
#bioethics #animalethics
October 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM
These experiments are justified by claiming animals are similar to humans, but permitted only because experimenters insist on certain fundamental differences.
#bioethics #animalethics
#bioethics #animalethics