Penny Shockett
@pshockett.bsky.social
Immunologist/Molecular Biologist & Biology Professor. Likes running and furry friends.
Pinned
Penny Shockett
@pshockett.bsky.social
· Oct 8
Home - Immunology Explained
Understand how your immune system works with clear, science-backed insights. We empower you to make informed decisions and feel confident about your health.
immunologyexplained.aai.org
Bluesky
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
"Vaccine Immunity vs. Infection Out in the Wild" pass it on.
www.linkedin.com/posts/unbias...
www.linkedin.com/posts/unbias...
In today’s Substack, authored by Dr. Aimee Pugh Bernard, PhD, in partnership with Immunology Explained, an initiative of The American Association of Immunologists (AAI), we unpack one of the most… | U...
In today’s Substack, authored by Dr. Aimee Pugh Bernard, PhD, in partnership with Immunology Explained, an initiative of The American Association of Immunologists (AAI), we unpack one of the most comm...
www.linkedin.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"Vaccine Immunity vs. Infection Out in the Wild" pass it on.
www.linkedin.com/posts/unbias...
www.linkedin.com/posts/unbias...
NIH Institute Director Abruptly Replaced www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
NIH Institute Director Abruptly Replaced
New NIEHS chief is a friend of Vice President JD Vance
www.medpagetoday.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:48 PM
NIH Institute Director Abruptly Replaced www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
Bluesky
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
Home - Immunology Explained
Understand how your immune system works with clear, science-backed insights. We empower you to make informed decisions and feel confident about your health.
immunologyexplained.aai.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Bluesky
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
🧬 Do you know how your immune system works every day?
Immunology Explained, a new initiative from the @aai.org, makes it simple to understand how it impacts everyday health with clear, science-backed info.
Check it out: immunologyexplained.aai.org
#ImmunologyExplained#ImmuneSystem#Science
Reposted by Penny Shockett
I’m a physician who has looked at hundreds of studies of vaccine safety, and here’s some of what RFK Jr. gets wrong
by @jakescottmd.bsky.social (congrats Jake - keep it up!)
theconversation.com/im-a-physici...
by @jakescottmd.bsky.social (congrats Jake - keep it up!)
theconversation.com/im-a-physici...
I’m a physician who has looked at hundreds of studies of vaccine safety, and here’s some of what RFK Jr. gets wrong
The health secretary has made many inaccurate statements about vaccines. But the science is clear that vaccines have dramatically reduced childhood illness, disability and death.
theconversation.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I’m a physician who has looked at hundreds of studies of vaccine safety, and here’s some of what RFK Jr. gets wrong
by @jakescottmd.bsky.social (congrats Jake - keep it up!)
theconversation.com/im-a-physici...
by @jakescottmd.bsky.social (congrats Jake - keep it up!)
theconversation.com/im-a-physici...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
🌱 From UC Davis: Deleting key gliadin genes boosts wheat gluten strength & cuts celiac-triggering epitopes—without harming yield. (Maria Rottersman, Jorge Dubcovsky)
▶️ www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/ta...
▶️ www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/ta...
Targeting Gluten: Researchers Delete Proteins in Wheat Harmful to People with Celiac Disease
A UC Davis study found that deleting a cluster of genes in wheat may reduce wheat allergies without harming breadmaking.
www.ucdavis.edu
May 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
🌱 From UC Davis: Deleting key gliadin genes boosts wheat gluten strength & cuts celiac-triggering epitopes—without harming yield. (Maria Rottersman, Jorge Dubcovsky)
▶️ www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/ta...
▶️ www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/ta...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
#ImmunologyNews A recent study published has revealed the molecular link between malaria infection and Burkitt lymphoma (BL)… #immunology #research
Read more here:
www.immunopaedia.org.za/breaking-new...
Read more here:
www.immunopaedia.org.za/breaking-new...
Malaria-Driven Cancer: How Plasmodium falciparum Triggers Burkitt Lymphoma in Children | Immunopaedia
A recent study published has revealed the molecular link between malaria infection and Burkitt lymphoma (BL)...
www.immunopaedia.org.za
May 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
#ImmunologyNews A recent study published has revealed the molecular link between malaria infection and Burkitt lymphoma (BL)… #immunology #research
Read more here:
www.immunopaedia.org.za/breaking-new...
Read more here:
www.immunopaedia.org.za/breaking-new...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
This is good news.
Comparable immune responses (IgA & neutralising antibodies) with new oral polio vaccine compared to Sabin vaccine - hopefully can help interrupt circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.
@lancetmicrobe.bsky.social
#IDSky #ImmunoSky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Comparable immune responses (IgA & neutralising antibodies) with new oral polio vaccine compared to Sabin vaccine - hopefully can help interrupt circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.
@lancetmicrobe.bsky.social
#IDSky #ImmunoSky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Intestinal mucosal immune responses induced by novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 and Sabin monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine type 2: an analysis of data from four clinical trials
We found no evidence of differences in the intestinal mucosal immune responses induced
by nOPV2 or Sabin mOPV2 and observed the strongest responses in infants.
www.thelancet.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
This is good news.
Comparable immune responses (IgA & neutralising antibodies) with new oral polio vaccine compared to Sabin vaccine - hopefully can help interrupt circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.
@lancetmicrobe.bsky.social
#IDSky #ImmunoSky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Comparable immune responses (IgA & neutralising antibodies) with new oral polio vaccine compared to Sabin vaccine - hopefully can help interrupt circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.
@lancetmicrobe.bsky.social
#IDSky #ImmunoSky
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
Now it's your fault if you get sick?
Dr. Oz: 'It's your patriotic duty to take care of yourself. Healthy people don't consume healthcare resources.'
Dr. Oz: 'It's your patriotic duty to take care of yourself. Healthy people don't consume healthcare resources.'
April 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Now it's your fault if you get sick?
Dr. Oz: 'It's your patriotic duty to take care of yourself. Healthy people don't consume healthcare resources.'
Dr. Oz: 'It's your patriotic duty to take care of yourself. Healthy people don't consume healthcare resources.'
Reposted by Penny Shockett
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
www.propublica.org/article/meas...
www.propublica.org/article/meas...
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the nation’s top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
www.propublica.org
March 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
www.propublica.org/article/meas...
www.propublica.org/article/meas...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
Bringing back all the greatest hits. 😥
Two infants die of whooping cough in Louisiana as national case numbers climb | CNN
There have been 6,600 pertussis cases reported in the US in 2025, almost four times the number at this point last year.
www.cnn.com
April 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Bringing back all the greatest hits. 😥
Reposted by Penny Shockett
We are in the midst of what many consider the most promising pancreatic cancer cure research in decades. This is literally joining the War on Cancer on the side of cancer. It's happening in multiple departments. They're also attacking mRNA fax science which is the heart of the possible breakthrough.
They just cut $20M of pancreatic cancer research from DoD. Who the hell could be thinking they won’t be targeted?
March 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
We are in the midst of what many consider the most promising pancreatic cancer cure research in decades. This is literally joining the War on Cancer on the side of cancer. It's happening in multiple departments. They're also attacking mRNA fax science which is the heart of the possible breakthrough.
Reposted by Penny Shockett
This is just horrible.
The FY25 CR obliterates the already small funding allocations for the development of new treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioblastoma.... for what purpose?
These are three of the deadliest types of cancer.
The FY25 CR obliterates the already small funding allocations for the development of new treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioblastoma.... for what purpose?
These are three of the deadliest types of cancer.
They are cutting cancer research. They are cutting cancer research. They can deny it all they want, but they are cutting cancer research. These are the cuts being made the DoD CDMRP cancer funding mechanism www.fightcancer.org/sites/defaul...
March 27, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This is just horrible.
The FY25 CR obliterates the already small funding allocations for the development of new treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioblastoma.... for what purpose?
These are three of the deadliest types of cancer.
The FY25 CR obliterates the already small funding allocations for the development of new treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioblastoma.... for what purpose?
These are three of the deadliest types of cancer.
Reposted by Penny Shockett
"Angry, disappointed, frustrated"--Scientists were making progress on vaccines and antivirals for the next pandemic--until this week, when the Trump administration abruptly told them to stop. Here's my story with @apoorvanyt.bsky.social Gift link: nyti.ms/43Xz77q
H.H.S. Scraps Studies of Vaccines and Treatments for Future Pandemics (Gift Article)
Federal officials cited the end of the Covid-19 pandemic in halting the research. But much of the work was focused on preventing outbreaks of other pathogens.
nyti.ms
March 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"Angry, disappointed, frustrated"--Scientists were making progress on vaccines and antivirals for the next pandemic--until this week, when the Trump administration abruptly told them to stop. Here's my story with @apoorvanyt.bsky.social Gift link: nyti.ms/43Xz77q
Reposted by Penny Shockett
The US invited Rumesya Ozturk to study at Tufts on a Fulbright, a program that promotes "mutual understanding" between America and the world.
As a Fulbrighter, this video makes me ill. We certainly aren't promoting mutual understanding.
We're promoting the idea that dissent is not welcome here.
As a Fulbrighter, this video makes me ill. We certainly aren't promoting mutual understanding.
We're promoting the idea that dissent is not welcome here.
Video of the international student at Tufts being arrested by "federal authorities" in Massachusetts has been released and it's terrifying.
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
March 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The US invited Rumesya Ozturk to study at Tufts on a Fulbright, a program that promotes "mutual understanding" between America and the world.
As a Fulbrighter, this video makes me ill. We certainly aren't promoting mutual understanding.
We're promoting the idea that dissent is not welcome here.
As a Fulbrighter, this video makes me ill. We certainly aren't promoting mutual understanding.
We're promoting the idea that dissent is not welcome here.
Reposted by Penny Shockett
14 pages of terminated NIH grants--everyone should read through the list. The sweep is VERY broad, including "The Impact of the Herpes Zoster Vaccine on Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus" & "Mitochondrial-based Determinants of Sex Differences in Acute Kidney Injury"🧪 1/n
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov
March 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
14 pages of terminated NIH grants--everyone should read through the list. The sweep is VERY broad, including "The Impact of the Herpes Zoster Vaccine on Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus" & "Mitochondrial-based Determinants of Sex Differences in Acute Kidney Injury"🧪 1/n
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
“The cancellations stunned scientists who had depended on the government’s support.
“The idea that we don’t need further research to learn how to treat health problems caused by coronaviruses and prevent future pandemics because ‘Covid-19 is over’ is absurd,” said Pamela Bjorkman”
“The idea that we don’t need further research to learn how to treat health problems caused by coronaviruses and prevent future pandemics because ‘Covid-19 is over’ is absurd,” said Pamela Bjorkman”
H.H.S. Scraps Studies of Vaccines and Treatments for Future Pandemics
Federal officials cited the end of the Covid-19 pandemic in halting the research. But much of the work was focused on preventing outbreaks of other pathogens.
www.nytimes.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
“The cancellations stunned scientists who had depended on the government’s support.
“The idea that we don’t need further research to learn how to treat health problems caused by coronaviruses and prevent future pandemics because ‘Covid-19 is over’ is absurd,” said Pamela Bjorkman”
“The idea that we don’t need further research to learn how to treat health problems caused by coronaviruses and prevent future pandemics because ‘Covid-19 is over’ is absurd,” said Pamela Bjorkman”
Reposted by Penny Shockett
‘Chaos and Confusion’ at the Crown Jewel of American Science
Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.
www.nytimes.com/2025...
1/4
Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.
www.nytimes.com/2025...
1/4
‘Chaos and Confusion’ at the N.I.H., the Crown Jewel of American Science
Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.
www.nytimes.com
March 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
‘Chaos and Confusion’ at the Crown Jewel of American Science
Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.
www.nytimes.com/2025...
1/4
Senior scientists at the National Institutes of Health fear that research on conditions like obesity, heart disease and cancer will be undermined by President Trump’s policies.
www.nytimes.com/2025...
1/4
Reposted by Penny Shockett
'Neutrophils expressed notably low levels of STING, whereas forced expression led to uncontrolled systemic inflammation. During development in the thymus, Tcells dynamically & epigenetically restricted STING expression through DNMT1–mediated transcriptional silencing'
#Immunology
#Immunology
Dynamic STING repression orchestrates immune cell development and function
Repression of STING expression in neutrophils and T lymphocytes is required for immune homeostasis and tumor response.
www.science.org
March 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
'Neutrophils expressed notably low levels of STING, whereas forced expression led to uncontrolled systemic inflammation. During development in the thymus, Tcells dynamically & epigenetically restricted STING expression through DNMT1–mediated transcriptional silencing'
#Immunology
#Immunology
Reposted by Penny Shockett
#Medsky🧪 #IDsky #immunosky #publichealth During #mold infections, crosstalk between 🫁 epithelial cells & fungicidal #neutrophils via GM-CSF improves survival, according to a new study in 🐁 @sciimmunology.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
GM-CSF–mediated epithelial-immune cell cross-talk orchestrates pulmonary immunity to Aspergillus fumigatus
During mold infection, epithelial-derived GM-CSF licenses neutrophil killing of fungal cells, leading to improved survival.
www.science.org
March 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
#Medsky🧪 #IDsky #immunosky #publichealth During #mold infections, crosstalk between 🫁 epithelial cells & fungicidal #neutrophils via GM-CSF improves survival, according to a new study in 🐁 @sciimmunology.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
#Medsky🧪#IDsky #immunosky #pedsky #publichealth #measles-induced
#immuneamnesia that leads to the loss of immune memory cells, resulting in excess non-measles …
www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13...
www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/...
www.jmidonline.org/index.php?mn...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#immuneamnesia that leads to the loss of immune memory cells, resulting in excess non-measles …
www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13...
www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/...
www.jmidonline.org/index.php?mn...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Understanding measles virus: from isolation to immunological cellular mechanisms and immunisation 1954–2024
Measles virus (Morbillivirus abbreviated as MV, but more recently MeV) is the causal agent of measles disease, thought to have existed at least 4,000 years ago, affecting predominantly infants, but
www.explorationpub.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:14 AM
#Medsky🧪#IDsky #immunosky #pedsky #publichealth #measles-induced
#immuneamnesia that leads to the loss of immune memory cells, resulting in excess non-measles …
www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13...
www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/...
www.jmidonline.org/index.php?mn...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#immuneamnesia that leads to the loss of immune memory cells, resulting in excess non-measles …
www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13...
www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/...
www.jmidonline.org/index.php?mn...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
journals.asm.org/doi/full/10....
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Measles outbreak in 🇺🇸 & The Side Effects of Misinformation that made it more dangerous & deadly
www.the-scientist.com/immune-amnes...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Measles outbreak in 🇺🇸 & The Side Effects of Misinformation that made it more dangerous & deadly
www.the-scientist.com/immune-amnes...
Immune Amnesia: How the Texas Measles Outbreak Could Promote the Spread of Other Infectious Diseases
The measles virus attacks long-lived immune cells, reducing antibody-mediated protection from other infectious diseases and casting a long shadow of childhood mortality.
www.the-scientist.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:18 AM
journals.asm.org/doi/full/10....
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Measles outbreak in 🇺🇸 & The Side Effects of Misinformation that made it more dangerous & deadly
www.the-scientist.com/immune-amnes...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Measles outbreak in 🇺🇸 & The Side Effects of Misinformation that made it more dangerous & deadly
www.the-scientist.com/immune-amnes...
Reposted by Penny Shockett
yelling at clouds for a second- I wish that at some point in the vaccine design project we would take the antigens and do this, especially for virus entry glycoproteins:
A physical wiring diagram for the human immune system - Nature
Systematic measurements of the interactions between proteins found on the surfaces of human leukocytes provides a global view of the way that immune cells are dynamically connected by recept...
www.nature.com
March 23, 2025 at 4:34 AM
yelling at clouds for a second- I wish that at some point in the vaccine design project we would take the antigens and do this, especially for virus entry glycoproteins: