John Trant
@trantteam.bsky.social
Assoc Prof UWindsor, Faculty of Science Research Chair; married to @shufflersunite.bsky.social
he/him/you bastard
Probably writing a grant. Big Ottawa Senators Fan.
www.trantteam.ca AND www.binarystarchem.ca.
Total scientific saturation at an epochal pace
he/him/you bastard
Probably writing a grant. Big Ottawa Senators Fan.
www.trantteam.ca AND www.binarystarchem.ca.
Total scientific saturation at an epochal pace
A reminder that co-operating with fascism is called being a fascist. See how well it worked out for Quisling and Vichy. Frankly, the ex-Nazis in Germany got off far easier than their erstwhile lickspittle collaborators in the rest of Europe. And at this point, no one is holding a literal gun to head
November 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A reminder that co-operating with fascism is called being a fascist. See how well it worked out for Quisling and Vichy. Frankly, the ex-Nazis in Germany got off far easier than their erstwhile lickspittle collaborators in the rest of Europe. And at this point, no one is holding a literal gun to head
Reposted by John Trant
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
IF this can scale (and have ridiculously efficient turnover), then...maybe? But scientifically, this is incredible.
From carbon dioxide to starch—no plants required.
In Science, researchers developed a cell-free method of synthesizing starch from CO2 and hydrogen using a combination of chemical catalysts and a carefully selected set of enzymes.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4hMvDtA #ScienceMagArchives
In Science, researchers developed a cell-free method of synthesizing starch from CO2 and hydrogen using a combination of chemical catalysts and a carefully selected set of enzymes.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4hMvDtA #ScienceMagArchives
Cell-free chemoenzymatic starch synthesis from carbon dioxide
A designed chemoenzymatic cascade reaction enables cell-free synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide.
scim.ag
November 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
IF this can scale (and have ridiculously efficient turnover), then...maybe? But scientifically, this is incredible.
A PhD is not about accomplishing "a research." It is about learning how to solve problems that you have never seen before. Turning to Bullshit Machines for this (except in big data analysis) is the opposite of the skillset a PhD is all about.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
"AI is not just another research tool; it is redefining what research is, how it is done and what counts as an original contribution." Alex Sen Gupta writes in Nature how doctoral training must evolve to make the most of AI outputs. #Academicsky 🧪
PhD training needs a reboot in an AI world
As machines get better at data analysis and writing tasks, doctoral training must evolve to make the most of artificial-intelligence outputs.
go.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A PhD is not about accomplishing "a research." It is about learning how to solve problems that you have never seen before. Turning to Bullshit Machines for this (except in big data analysis) is the opposite of the skillset a PhD is all about.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
This is a really disingenuous headline @economist.com. I used to read you all the time as a rock solid middle of the road NEWS magazine (early 2000s). But it's become reactionary slop. Poorly funded universal childcare is bad. Well funded is good. Higher taxes, better funding, and it is AMAZING.
Its growing popularity in America is a concern
Universal child care can harm children
Its growing popularity in America is a concern
econ.st
November 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is a really disingenuous headline @economist.com. I used to read you all the time as a rock solid middle of the road NEWS magazine (early 2000s). But it's become reactionary slop. Poorly funded universal childcare is bad. Well funded is good. Higher taxes, better funding, and it is AMAZING.
Reposted by John Trant
I would put more money on continuing to harvest infinite energy from the sun over assuming that forcing everyone to use The Machine The Lies To You is the steady basis of an entire economy
A fun question. In 5 years time, what looks better? The US’s enormous bet & capex on AI? Or China’s equally enormous bet and capex on renewables?
China has made cheap, clean energy available in huge quantities. The world should take the win econ.st/4oqFszB
Photo: Eyevine
Photo: Eyevine
November 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I would put more money on continuing to harvest infinite energy from the sun over assuming that forcing everyone to use The Machine The Lies To You is the steady basis of an entire economy
I have seen many ambitious and non feasible things in my life. I've written some of them.
This is pretty high on the list. 10^84 ish t cell receptor possibilities. Good luck with that. The immune system is hard. Really hard. The only sufficiently complex model is an immune system.
This is pretty high on the list. 10^84 ish t cell receptor possibilities. Good luck with that. The immune system is hard. Really hard. The only sufficiently complex model is an immune system.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is poised to become one of the largest philanthropies supporting science, and it now is going "all in" on AI and biology to create a virtual immune system. I spoke with Chan and many of its scientists last week. www.science.org/content/arti...
AI drives dramatic expansion of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s funding to end all diseases
Entering its second decade, philanthropy with Facebook fortune has shed social causes and now focuses on ambitious science dream
www.science.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I have seen many ambitious and non feasible things in my life. I've written some of them.
This is pretty high on the list. 10^84 ish t cell receptor possibilities. Good luck with that. The immune system is hard. Really hard. The only sufficiently complex model is an immune system.
This is pretty high on the list. 10^84 ish t cell receptor possibilities. Good luck with that. The immune system is hard. Really hard. The only sufficiently complex model is an immune system.
Reposted by John Trant
We’re relaunching The Matter Blotter — our Substack newsletter where the Matter Lab members will be writing about their research in greater detail, going beyond what’s possible on social media (and way past the Bluesky character limit!).
Subscribe here: aspuru.substack.com
Subscribe here: aspuru.substack.com
The Matter Blotter | Alan Aspuru-Guzik | Substack
accelerating science, chemistry and materials, quantum computing, artificial intelligence. Click to read The Matter Blotter, by Alan Aspuru-Guzik, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
aspuru.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We’re relaunching The Matter Blotter — our Substack newsletter where the Matter Lab members will be writing about their research in greater detail, going beyond what’s possible on social media (and way past the Bluesky character limit!).
Subscribe here: aspuru.substack.com
Subscribe here: aspuru.substack.com
Reposted by John Trant
If #Budget2025 is supposed to be one that is "generational," it is a shame that investing in those who are already here and contributing to Canada's future have been completely overlooked.
/fin
/fin
November 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
If #Budget2025 is supposed to be one that is "generational," it is a shame that investing in those who are already here and contributing to Canada's future have been completely overlooked.
/fin
/fin
Nice to know Fascism remains popular with only about 40% of the electorate in the USA. I can sleep easy for the next few years on that basis.
Rather shocked that the elections were held fairly though. Was sure there were going to be shenanigans.
Rather shocked that the elections were held fairly though. Was sure there were going to be shenanigans.
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Nice to know Fascism remains popular with only about 40% of the electorate in the USA. I can sleep easy for the next few years on that basis.
Rather shocked that the elections were held fairly though. Was sure there were going to be shenanigans.
Rather shocked that the elections were held fairly though. Was sure there were going to be shenanigans.
It is exhausting realizing that the best way to get solid, stable funding in Canada as an academic would be to leave, and then come back. Because apparently, we have no talent in this country, and we need to go out and get it.
We have oodles of talent. It's tiring.
We have oodles of talent. It's tiring.
November 5, 2025 at 1:58 AM
It is exhausting realizing that the best way to get solid, stable funding in Canada as an academic would be to leave, and then come back. Because apparently, we have no talent in this country, and we need to go out and get it.
We have oodles of talent. It's tiring.
We have oodles of talent. It's tiring.
Yup. AI is useless if the data is useless. Here's the secret: the data is useless.
Storytime (short one. I'm sick).
Storytime (short one. I'm sick).
tepid take: a lotttttt of job postings for bio-AI researchers, not enough job postings for generating-the-extremely-necessary-data-for-bio-AI researchers
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Yup. AI is useless if the data is useless. Here's the secret: the data is useless.
Storytime (short one. I'm sick).
Storytime (short one. I'm sick).
Who else is excited about a new Matthew Good EP?
Anyone?
Anyone?
k.
Anyone?
Anyone?
k.
November 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Who else is excited about a new Matthew Good EP?
Anyone?
Anyone?
k.
Anyone?
Anyone?
k.
Reposted by John Trant
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
I love Baseball. I have a large collection of cards, '88-92 or so. Lots of moustaches, lots of different physiques. All sports used to be like that. But baseball still is. These guys all look like they came straight out of 1985. And Kirk, being a world-class catcher shows my physique is elite.
November 2, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I love Baseball. I have a large collection of cards, '88-92 or so. Lots of moustaches, lots of different physiques. All sports used to be like that. But baseball still is. These guys all look like they came straight out of 1985. And Kirk, being a world-class catcher shows my physique is elite.
Reposted by John Trant
Canadian researchers should be aware the there is a motion before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Research to force Tricouncils to hand over disaggregated peer review data on all applications:
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Canadian researchers should be aware the there is a motion before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Research to force Tricouncils to hand over disaggregated peer review data on all applications:
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Reposted by John Trant
At this critical moment Canada is making poor decisions when it comes to funding for science and higher education. Austerity in this sector at this point in time will decimate the knowledge economy in all of North America. Funding a couple of high profile chairs is not going to solve the problem.
Well reported story on the PBS News Hour about science cuts and the ongoing and potential brain drain.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
At this critical moment Canada is making poor decisions when it comes to funding for science and higher education. Austerity in this sector at this point in time will decimate the knowledge economy in all of North America. Funding a couple of high profile chairs is not going to solve the problem.
My 3.5 year old daughter who loves playing with balls is wearing pants made for 6 year olds. We are now opening the bidding for her NCAA basketball school. It starts at 2.7 million and a cookie. Chocolate chip.
October 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
My 3.5 year old daughter who loves playing with balls is wearing pants made for 6 year olds. We are now opening the bidding for her NCAA basketball school. It starts at 2.7 million and a cookie. Chocolate chip.
Adobe's AI's brilliant synopsis of: "Mechanism of the Schiff Base Forming Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate Aldolase:
Structural Analysis of Reaction Intermediates" (It's a banger) is...
Structural Analysis of Reaction Intermediates" (It's a banger) is...
October 29, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Adobe's AI's brilliant synopsis of: "Mechanism of the Schiff Base Forming Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate Aldolase:
Structural Analysis of Reaction Intermediates" (It's a banger) is...
Structural Analysis of Reaction Intermediates" (It's a banger) is...
Reposted by John Trant
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning
Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when
academic.oup.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
So, want to shout out one of the best undergrads to EVER come through my team (we've had about 200 now and some are STUPID good who are going to blow me away. Good. They deserve to.) But this one WILL be much better than me.
Teagan Kukhta...you heard it here first
doi.org/10.1021/acs....
Teagan Kukhta...you heard it here first
doi.org/10.1021/acs....
doi.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
So, want to shout out one of the best undergrads to EVER come through my team (we've had about 200 now and some are STUPID good who are going to blow me away. Good. They deserve to.) But this one WILL be much better than me.
Teagan Kukhta...you heard it here first
doi.org/10.1021/acs....
Teagan Kukhta...you heard it here first
doi.org/10.1021/acs....
Reposted by John Trant
For those who like this work: There are still 2 weeks left to apply for the PhD position in my group!
www.chemzymes.com
www.chemzymes.com
Today @chemrxiv.org we write about two major innovations that facilitate in vitro prenoid and terpenoid analogue biosynthesis.
doi.org/10.26434/che...
Thread below 👇
doi.org/10.26434/che...
Thread below 👇
October 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
For those who like this work: There are still 2 weeks left to apply for the PhD position in my group!
www.chemzymes.com
www.chemzymes.com
5, and its probably going to stay that way for a long while now.
19. gotta score San Antonio, still...
7
October 26, 2025 at 7:37 PM
5, and its probably going to stay that way for a long while now.
Reposted by John Trant
I stand with Alberta teachers
October 25, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I stand with Alberta teachers