Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
@vvsmider.bsky.social
Biomedical researcher, antibody investigator (especially cow antibodies 🐮, which are the best), drug discoverer, entrepreneur 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
Founder and President at Applied Biomedical Science Institute:
https://absinstitute.org
Founder and President at Applied Biomedical Science Institute:
https://absinstitute.org
Pinned
DOGE ends America’s golden age of biomedical research
Biomedical research impacts all of us. I became curious about how drugs work after my mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was a small boy. She received “gold shots” as treatment, which ...
www.vindy.com
I’m a biomedical researcher who lost his wife to cancer. Finding cures is personal to me. What’s happening at the NIH is devastating. Here’s my editorial in my hometown newspaper.
www.vindy.com/opinion/edit...
www.vindy.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
When my wife died this year, I found out that a 3 mile ambulance ride in America will cost you $5,886.
Healthcare in America: My father-in-law recently died at a hospital and they mailed him a $123,000 bill
November 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
When my wife died this year, I found out that a 3 mile ambulance ride in America will cost you $5,886.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
"Remarkably, the bacterium that makes methylenomycin A and pre-methylenomycin C lactone -- Streptomyces coelicolor -- is a model antibiotic-producing species that's been studied extensively since the 1950s. Finding a new antibiotic in such a familiar organism was a real surprise." 🧪
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"Remarkably, the bacterium that makes methylenomycin A and pre-methylenomycin C lactone -- Streptomyces coelicolor -- is a model antibiotic-producing species that's been studied extensively since the 1950s. Finding a new antibiotic in such a familiar organism was a real surprise." 🧪
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
November 16, 2025 at 2:55 AM
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
🧪A clinical trial for Alzheimer's has shown that removal of amyloid plaques in early stage of the disease slows cognitive decline; in particular, a 30% improvement. However, it doesn't stop dementia, it slows it down.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
Promising clinical trials in Alzheimer's prevention
Washington University Medicine in St. Louis is conducting important research into treating early-onset Alzheimer's before symptoms arise.
www.cbsnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🧪A clinical trial for Alzheimer's has shown that removal of amyloid plaques in early stage of the disease slows cognitive decline; in particular, a 30% improvement. However, it doesn't stop dementia, it slows it down.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Leading neuroscientists say that ongoing disruptions in federal funding are causing many young scientists in the field to reconsider their career choice — with potentially dire consequences for research into Alzheimer's, autism and other brain disorders.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As funding falters, young brain scientists rethink careers in research
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants.
www.npr.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Leading neuroscientists say that ongoing disruptions in federal funding are causing many young scientists in the field to reconsider their career choice — with potentially dire consequences for research into Alzheimer's, autism and other brain disorders.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
EXCELLENT graphic on the drain of scientific publishing! zenodo.org/records/1759...
November 15, 2025 at 4:04 AM
EXCELLENT graphic on the drain of scientific publishing! zenodo.org/records/1759...
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
November 16, 2025 at 2:55 AM
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
I posted yesterday about the shift to triaging 70% of NIH applications rather than 50%.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
a woman wearing a beanie says this is a temporary fix netflix
ALT: a woman wearing a beanie says this is a temporary fix netflix
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I posted yesterday about the shift to triaging 70% of NIH applications rather than 50%.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
I’ve been circling around this idea for awhile but didn’t have the skill to summarize what others have now done extremely eloquently:
Proposing the concept of misinformation exposure as a social determinant of health.
Read on if you’re interested.
Proposing the concept of misinformation exposure as a social determinant of health.
Read on if you’re interested.
November 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I’ve been circling around this idea for awhile but didn’t have the skill to summarize what others have now done extremely eloquently:
Proposing the concept of misinformation exposure as a social determinant of health.
Read on if you’re interested.
Proposing the concept of misinformation exposure as a social determinant of health.
Read on if you’re interested.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
The Trump administration is burning down our country’s most important health agencies from the inside and pushing out anyone who dares to pull the fire alarm.
Standing up for science is not a fireable offense. I won’t let this get swept under the rug.
Standing up for science is not a fireable offense. I won’t let this get swept under the rug.
Senator Murray Slams Outrageous Political Retaliation at NIH, Demands Answers from Trump Administration - Senator Patty Murray
Vice Chair Murray in June to NIH Director Bhattacharya: “You just received a letter signed by hundreds of your own staff who believe this administration’s actions risk breaking NIH and the lifesaving ...
www.murray.senate.gov
November 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Trump administration is burning down our country’s most important health agencies from the inside and pushing out anyone who dares to pull the fire alarm.
Standing up for science is not a fireable offense. I won’t let this get swept under the rug.
Standing up for science is not a fireable offense. I won’t let this get swept under the rug.
I’ve been worried about China’s increased competition in biotechnology.
There's a lot of bioproduct innovation happening in the world that isn't well connected with academia or the industrial biotech scene like what conferences is this guy attending and how do I get invited
November 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I’ve been worried about China’s increased competition in biotechnology.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
I dunno if my lab can stay in business if the cost of Transposons keeps going up like this.
November 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I dunno if my lab can stay in business if the cost of Transposons keeps going up like this.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
A 47-year-old man is the first person known to have died from alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy caused by a tick bite.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
First death reported from meat allergy caused by tick bite
After months of investigation, researchers confirmed that a New Jersey man died of a tickborne allergy called alpha-gal syndrome after eating a hamburger.
www.nbcnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 AM
A 47-year-old man is the first person known to have died from alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy caused by a tick bite.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Opening for a tenure-track biology Assistant Professor at the University of Washington's Bothell campus, just northeast of Seattle.
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Opening for a tenure-track biology Assistant Professor at the University of Washington's Bothell campus, just northeast of Seattle.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
It’s true, I was out on admin leave today at 2pm. I was given no reason. The notice says it is “non-disciplinary.” I was told it came down from HHS.
November 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
It’s true, I was out on admin leave today at 2pm. I was given no reason. The notice says it is “non-disciplinary.” I was told it came down from HHS.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
As RFK Jr's HHS demonizes scientists, China moves to attract good scientists to drive innovation there.
The visa will help the country boost its competitiveness in areas that it deems important for its future, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics & new materials.
🧪 archive.li/cWZHd
The visa will help the country boost its competitiveness in areas that it deems important for its future, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics & new materials.
🧪 archive.li/cWZHd
China’s new scientist visa is a ‘serious bid’ for the world’s top talent
The country is easing migration for young researchers to boost its competitiveness in artificial intelligence, robotics and new materials.
www.nature.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
As RFK Jr's HHS demonizes scientists, China moves to attract good scientists to drive innovation there.
The visa will help the country boost its competitiveness in areas that it deems important for its future, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics & new materials.
🧪 archive.li/cWZHd
The visa will help the country boost its competitiveness in areas that it deems important for its future, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics & new materials.
🧪 archive.li/cWZHd
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Early Career Rescue Fellowship
www.uni-konstanz.de
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
In honor of Veterans Day, learn about the impact of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and how the work it has funded is improving outcomes for millions of individuals—including members of the military and their families. https://nbcc.info/48kSlGv
November 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
In honor of Veterans Day, learn about the impact of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and how the work it has funded is improving outcomes for millions of individuals—including members of the military and their families. https://nbcc.info/48kSlGv
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
The protein concentration in the cytoplasm is so high that the average protein has a water hydration shell with a thickness of only ≈ 10 water molecules separating it from the adjacent protein hydration shell.
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November 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The protein concentration in the cytoplasm is so high that the average protein has a water hydration shell with a thickness of only ≈ 10 water molecules separating it from the adjacent protein hydration shell.
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Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and training opportunities that the USA is losing
go.nature.com/49CE3Bt
go.nature.com/49CE3Bt
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
Nature - From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional...
go.nature.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and training opportunities that the USA is losing
go.nature.com/49CE3Bt
go.nature.com/49CE3Bt
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41