Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
@samlewis.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in the UC Berkeley Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, mtDNA obsessed, mother to the Lord of Chaos, she/her, personal account, views do not reflect those of my employer.
https://www.samlewis-phd.com/
https://www.samlewis-phd.com/
Pinned
Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
@samlewis.bsky.social
· Jul 29
Thrilled to share a new preprint! 📝 🎉 Lewis lab PhD student Casadora wondered: Do mtDNA synthesis and lipid droplet biogenesis co-occur at the same membrane contact sites? Or can we discern distinct ER-mito contact classes? Evidence suggests the latter, relevant in overnutrition!
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
I learned how to read well because I was doing it all the time. A Goosebumps book and an encyclopedia volume hated to see me coming. I dont even know how you develop proper reading skills if you only read books at school.
October 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I learned how to read well because I was doing it all the time. A Goosebumps book and an encyclopedia volume hated to see me coming. I dont even know how you develop proper reading skills if you only read books at school.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
September 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Position available! Team @mito911.bsky.social needs a new scientific program manager to take over from legendary super-PM @doroteaartscience.bsky.social, who is moving on to bigger things. This is a Berkeley-based position. Apply at aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05103.
September 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Position available! Team @mito911.bsky.social needs a new scientific program manager to take over from legendary super-PM @doroteaartscience.bsky.social, who is moving on to bigger things. This is a Berkeley-based position. Apply at aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05103.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
I don't really care if the future is short videos. I like words. Words have gotten me this far and I'm gonna stick with 'em for the duration
September 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I don't really care if the future is short videos. I like words. Words have gotten me this far and I'm gonna stick with 'em for the duration
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
📣 Don't miss out on the upcoming @mito911.bsky.social webinar featuring Katie Drerup, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin.
👇 Reserve your spot using the link below.
📅 September 8
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
RSVP: bit.ly/4mUJeAc
👇 Reserve your spot using the link below.
📅 September 8
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
RSVP: bit.ly/4mUJeAc
September 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
📣 Don't miss out on the upcoming @mito911.bsky.social webinar featuring Katie Drerup, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin.
👇 Reserve your spot using the link below.
📅 September 8
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
RSVP: bit.ly/4mUJeAc
👇 Reserve your spot using the link below.
📅 September 8
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
RSVP: bit.ly/4mUJeAc
I'm happy to share new work in collaboration with Elena Koslover's lab! First author Keaton developed a mathematical framework for diffusion of soluble material through mitochondrial networks. Then, Lewis lab PhD candidate Camryn used live cell imaging to parameterize... 1/3
August 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I'm happy to share new work in collaboration with Elena Koslover's lab! First author Keaton developed a mathematical framework for diffusion of soluble material through mitochondrial networks. Then, Lewis lab PhD candidate Camryn used live cell imaging to parameterize... 1/3
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Mitochondria finally made the headlines, yay!
Oh wait, ... oh no ....
Oh wait, ... oh no ....
via @acyn.bsky.social
RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection
RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection
August 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Mitochondria finally made the headlines, yay!
Oh wait, ... oh no ....
Oh wait, ... oh no ....
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Happy to share the my lab's latest preprint, where we investigated sensorimotor circuit formation in the developing spinal cord. We show that proprioceptive axons target motor neurons in neighboring spinal segments to give rise to intersegmental reflex responses.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Activity-driven proprioceptive synaptic refinement in the developing spinal cord by complement signaling mechanisms
Proprioceptive group Ia afferents detect muscle stretch to guide effortless and purposeful movement and make monosynaptic connections with spinal α–motor neurons to mediate reflexes, such as the stret...
www.biorxiv.org
August 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Happy to share the my lab's latest preprint, where we investigated sensorimotor circuit formation in the developing spinal cord. We show that proprioceptive axons target motor neurons in neighboring spinal segments to give rise to intersegmental reflex responses.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
I have
NIGMS R35, impact score 12
NIHGRI R21, 4th percentile
NHGRI R01, 7th percentile (co-I)
and it seems like none will be funded. 0/3.
PO (who has been very helpful) said "Unfortunately, I do not expect this application will be selected for funding in FY25."
😭
NIGMS R35, impact score 12
NIHGRI R21, 4th percentile
NHGRI R01, 7th percentile (co-I)
and it seems like none will be funded. 0/3.
PO (who has been very helpful) said "Unfortunately, I do not expect this application will be selected for funding in FY25."
😭
August 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I have
NIGMS R35, impact score 12
NIHGRI R21, 4th percentile
NHGRI R01, 7th percentile (co-I)
and it seems like none will be funded. 0/3.
PO (who has been very helpful) said "Unfortunately, I do not expect this application will be selected for funding in FY25."
😭
NIGMS R35, impact score 12
NIHGRI R21, 4th percentile
NHGRI R01, 7th percentile (co-I)
and it seems like none will be funded. 0/3.
PO (who has been very helpful) said "Unfortunately, I do not expect this application will be selected for funding in FY25."
😭
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Just got an email that the NIH Early Independence award is "not going forward." This was an award that catapulted promising PhD students into faculty positions and is part of the High-Risk High-Reward grant program in the NIH Office of the Director. Deadline was 9.6.25!
August 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Just got an email that the NIH Early Independence award is "not going forward." This was an award that catapulted promising PhD students into faculty positions and is part of the High-Risk High-Reward grant program in the NIH Office of the Director. Deadline was 9.6.25!
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
One of the funnier things about the Yale prof who is advocating Niemollering the humanities is that his nirvana already exists. They are called Research Institutes. Why doesn’t he just change jobs to one of those and stop telling everyone else what to do?
August 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
One of the funnier things about the Yale prof who is advocating Niemollering the humanities is that his nirvana already exists. They are called Research Institutes. Why doesn’t he just change jobs to one of those and stop telling everyone else what to do?
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Absolutely honoured to see our work featured on this month’s cover! 🎉🧬
Artwork by the incredibly talented @doroteaartscience.bsky.social 👇
Artwork by the incredibly talented @doroteaartscience.bsky.social 👇
🏖️Our August issue's out!
Cover: Flexibility of #autophagy initiation
👉🏼Review on #metabolism in #embryogenesis #devbio
👉🏼Review on #DNArepair
🔬 #ribosomes #neurodevelopment #mitophagy #ferroptosis #stemcells #epigenetics #leukemia #antitumor immunity & more!
www.nature.com/ncb/volumes/...
Cover: Flexibility of #autophagy initiation
👉🏼Review on #metabolism in #embryogenesis #devbio
👉🏼Review on #DNArepair
🔬 #ribosomes #neurodevelopment #mitophagy #ferroptosis #stemcells #epigenetics #leukemia #antitumor immunity & more!
www.nature.com/ncb/volumes/...
August 13, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Absolutely honoured to see our work featured on this month’s cover! 🎉🧬
Artwork by the incredibly talented @doroteaartscience.bsky.social 👇
Artwork by the incredibly talented @doroteaartscience.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Congratulations @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and the whole team on in situ cryo-ET images of OA-induced mitochondria damage and Parkin-dependent mitophagy out now tinyurl.com/25b82cp4. We couldn't have done it without in situ guru @wilflinglab.bsky.social and mito guru @samlewis.bsky.social .
July 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Congratulations @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and the whole team on in situ cryo-ET images of OA-induced mitochondria damage and Parkin-dependent mitophagy out now tinyurl.com/25b82cp4. We couldn't have done it without in situ guru @wilflinglab.bsky.social and mito guru @samlewis.bsky.social .
Congratulations @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and the whole team on in situ cryo-ET images of OA-induced mitochondria damage and Parkin-dependent mitophagy out now tinyurl.com/25b82cp4. We couldn't have done it without in situ guru @wilflinglab.bsky.social and mito guru @samlewis.bsky.social .
July 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
the 'defense' ants have abs...
July 30, 2025 at 7:59 PM
the 'defense' ants have abs...
Thrilled to share a new preprint! 📝 🎉 Lewis lab PhD student Casadora wondered: Do mtDNA synthesis and lipid droplet biogenesis co-occur at the same membrane contact sites? Or can we discern distinct ER-mito contact classes? Evidence suggests the latter, relevant in overnutrition!
July 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Thrilled to share a new preprint! 📝 🎉 Lewis lab PhD student Casadora wondered: Do mtDNA synthesis and lipid droplet biogenesis co-occur at the same membrane contact sites? Or can we discern distinct ER-mito contact classes? Evidence suggests the latter, relevant in overnutrition!
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Our updated inventory of genes required for #OXPHOS & findings on #mito defects in #Menieres is now out at Cell Reports! 🎉
🧫 New galactose #CRISPR screen
🎯 481 genes required for #OXPHOS
⚙️ #FAM136A in IMS proteostasis
👂 Mito defects in #Menieres
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
🧫 New galactose #CRISPR screen
🎯 481 genes required for #OXPHOS
⚙️ #FAM136A in IMS proteostasis
👂 Mito defects in #Menieres
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
An updated inventory of genes essential for oxidative phosphorylation identifies a mitochondrial origin in familial Ménière’s disease
Harhai and collaborators expand the catalog of genes essential for oxidative phosphorylation
and implicate FAM136A in mitochondrial proteostasis. Their findings suggest a mitochondrial
contribution to...
www.cell.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
🚨 Out now! Autophagy keeps cells healthy - and when it goes wrong, diseases like Parkinson’s can emerge. @elias-adriaenssens.bsky.social (Martens lab) in @natureportfolio.nature.com Cell Biology challenge the conventional hierarchy of autophagy factors ➡️ tinyurl.com/y33nrtn2
July 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🚨 Out now! Autophagy keeps cells healthy - and when it goes wrong, diseases like Parkinson’s can emerge. @elias-adriaenssens.bsky.social (Martens lab) in @natureportfolio.nature.com Cell Biology challenge the conventional hierarchy of autophagy factors ➡️ tinyurl.com/y33nrtn2
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
i AM an artist and my studio is
R STUDIO
R STUDIO
July 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
i AM an artist and my studio is
R STUDIO
R STUDIO
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
ABSTRACTS CLOSE 18 July!
The 11th International Symposium on Autophagy 2025
📅 16–20 November 2025 | Lorne, Victoria, Australia
Registration: isa11.org
We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and a wide range of topics focused on the fascinating world of autophagy.
The 11th International Symposium on Autophagy 2025
📅 16–20 November 2025 | Lorne, Victoria, Australia
Registration: isa11.org
We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and a wide range of topics focused on the fascinating world of autophagy.
July 2, 2025 at 1:09 AM
ABSTRACTS CLOSE 18 July!
The 11th International Symposium on Autophagy 2025
📅 16–20 November 2025 | Lorne, Victoria, Australia
Registration: isa11.org
We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and a wide range of topics focused on the fascinating world of autophagy.
The 11th International Symposium on Autophagy 2025
📅 16–20 November 2025 | Lorne, Victoria, Australia
Registration: isa11.org
We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and a wide range of topics focused on the fascinating world of autophagy.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Excited to share our latest work on how mitochondrial methylation shapes gene expression. Using long-read RNAseq and cryo-EM, we uncover two methylation-dependent checkpoints in ribosome biogenesis.
Thanks to everyone invovled. @ruthicglasgow.bsky.social @amunts.bsky.social
🔗 rdcu.be/etk12
Thanks to everyone invovled. @ruthicglasgow.bsky.social @amunts.bsky.social
🔗 rdcu.be/etk12
The mitochondrial methylation potential gates mitoribosome assembly
Nature Communications - Here, using long-read RNA sequencing, SILAC proteomics, and cryo-EM, the authors show that loss of mitochondrial methylation impairs rRNA processing and ribosome maturation,...
rdcu.be
June 25, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Excited to share our latest work on how mitochondrial methylation shapes gene expression. Using long-read RNAseq and cryo-EM, we uncover two methylation-dependent checkpoints in ribosome biogenesis.
Thanks to everyone invovled. @ruthicglasgow.bsky.social @amunts.bsky.social
🔗 rdcu.be/etk12
Thanks to everyone invovled. @ruthicglasgow.bsky.social @amunts.bsky.social
🔗 rdcu.be/etk12
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Court invalidates NSF 15% indirect cost cap. Strong ruling. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
June 20, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Court invalidates NSF 15% indirect cost cap. Strong ruling. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...