James D. Watson, part of the team that uncovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953 with Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, has died at 97. His work marked a notable moment in biology. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/james-watson-co-discoverer-double-1957www.yahoo.com/n

As oocytes grow, H2A.Z shifts from marking active genes to spreading across broader, silent DNA regions, working hand-in-hand with another modification to support healthy meiosis and prepare the egg’s epigenetic blueprint for early embryonic life. .nature.com/articles/s41594-025-01573-xMore Info:

IMPC Strategic Conference ‘Insights from the Past, Shaping the Future’ Program and key information 👉 https://www.mousephenotype.org/news/2025-virtual-impc-conference-registration-and-agenda/ Free Registration 👉https://tinyurl.com/yz7znkde

🎉 Big congrats to Dr. Eric Green for receiving the American Society of Human Genetics Leadership Award — a standing ovation for visionary leadership in genomics! Read About it here: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/omics/eric-green-receives-ashg-leadership-award-to-standing-ovation/

"Animal models provide insights that alternative approaches can’t. A heated debate about which method is better is distracting researchers from doing good science." https://EcKc5wILd4%3D

MMRRC is in Boston at ASHG for the next 3 days - booth 1327! For more info: https://meetings.ashg.org/event/ASHG25/program/schedule

What Baby KJ’s CRISPR Breakthrough Really Tells Us. Reflections on the balance between hope and realism — new therapies are exciting, but they’re not universal cures yet. Read More: https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/crispr-cure-baby-kj-rare-diseases-personalized-gene-editing-drugs/?_hsmi=38470699

Congratulations to Drs. Brunkow, Ramsdell, & Sakaguchi! For More information: https://postly.click/ECH

“...the first step out of the maze for young men begins by reasserting to them the virtue of hard work — an often grueling but indispensable part of finding the right answers in science.” Read the essay with our gift article here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/o...

Some good research "food for thought... " https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02920-0?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=b2c87a0562-nature-briefing-daily-20250916&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-33f35e09ea-49915704

🌟 We’re proud to support the Rare Diseases Are Not Rare! Challenge—working together for faster treatments. With over 10,000 rare diseases, collaboration is key to speeding discovery and care. Learn more: https://www.challenge.gov/?challenge=rare-diseases-are-not-rare-2025-challenge

In this latest episode, we reflect on the past year at the Mouse Biology Program — what we’ve achieved, the challenges we’ve tackled, and how our work is shaping the future of research.

A great question... https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/08/nih-funding-whiplash/683773/?gift=4lmIFlDypD2qizi37OjlOFcAyBgKZPvOqwBmeZV_gRM&utm

Righting the Ship... https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02331-1.epdf?sharing_token=l7tRdDqzPMtZY_fH3UilNdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MN1Qa0Vg7jBoDX-os-NGcnreSmdlunxc76Fm4BFTVgIRcWiJXH5_Mm6B0xbQzS9AVWJf16F2hpzcCoBM1I1qXdjXso5QNekkp_M4xECg8pJmszLDG-Y5fzLs2SaPwXEMA%3D

"To be clear, there is no replacement yet for animal research in biomedical science...it remains to be seen how faithfully these [stem cell] reprogrammed cells and organoids mimic various complex biological processes.

Mice treated with a copper drug repaired faulty brain proteins, reversing Parkinson’s symptoms and offering new hope. Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-reverse-parkinsons-symptoms-in-mice-we-were-astonished-by-the-success/

What happens when lifesaving research quietly disappears? A look at critical NIH-funded projects lost to sudden budget cuts: projects.propublica.org/nih-cuts-res...

Imagine a future where the smell of menthol could alleviate some of the worst symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Read More: https://theconversation.com/when-mice-with-alzheimers-inhaled-menthol-their-cognitive-abilities-improved-230330

Scientists used gene-edited mice to test a custom therapy for a deadly infant liver disease—then saved a real child! Source: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Food for thought - "There’s no mystery to innovation and economic growth; the US must nurture its scientists or find out the hard way.

Something different: 3D-printing inside a living mouse’s bladder using sound waves! No cuts. Just ultrasound. Curious? Find out in Science: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Scientists can now guide how cells self-organize using internal forces. Imagine using this to grow tissues in mice faster to test new therapies. Source: journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.148301

Mouse studies reveal gut viruses help antibiotics — without them, bacteria resist treatment. 🐭🦠Source: cell.com/cell-host-microbe/abstract/S1931-3128(25)00135-0

Celebrating BRAD today at UC Davis! A lot is going on at Gladys Valley Hall:

​Sweden launches PROMISE, a national initiative to integrate large-scale multi-omics data with healthcare and research. By bridging fragmented datasets and improving data access, Sweden aims to unlock the full potential of precision medicine.

In the face of funding constraints, the MBP's resources ensure that critical research into chronic diseases continues unabated.

A new webinar is coming regarding how ambient temperature affects metabolic rate, concepts of a thermoneutral zone vs thermoneutral points, and much more! physiology.org/detail/event/2025/05/06/default-calendar/understanding-body-temperature-and-energy-homeostasis-in-mice?SSO=Y&_zs=qQHNW&_zl=2imS4

Sharing a message from the new NIH director regarding direction and aims. We hope to look at these goals to support researchers worldwide with the efforts we're known for and our desire to propel research forward.

Biotech worries as FDA's Peter Marks retires—key voice in gene therapy, vaccines, and biologics regulation. Source: www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-...

We want to thank Dr. Green for the 15 years of service he's provided to both our country and to research endeavors worldwide. fiercebiotech.com/biotech/director-nihs-national-human-genome-research-institute-steps-down

Memory formation REVEALED! NIH study shows brain's flexibility at the cellular level. Source: bit.ly/4iGwk6T

Scientists Discover Mysterious New Brain Cells That Could Change How We Treat Alzheimer’s scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-mysterious-new-brain-cells-that-could-change-how-we-treat-alzheimers

TODAY! Stand Up for Science: US Researchers Mobilize in National Protests. For more info: standupforscience2025.org

FYI - Judge issues preliminary injunction blocking Trump cuts to NIH research overhead payments.

Big news in the world of #neurodegenerative #disease! DU's own Scott Horowitz and team found in their #research that neurodegeneration might come down to RNA. Read more from their paper in Science: www.science.org/content/blog... #AcademicSky #PhDSky #HigherEd #EduSky #HigherEducation

Welcome to the Bluesky account for Stand Up for Science 2025! Keep an eye on this space for updates, event information, and ways to get involved. We can't wait to see everyone #standupforscience2025 on March 7th, both in DC and locations nationwide! #scienceforall #sciencenotsilence

Dr. Francis Collins' leadership at NIH advanced science and improved lives. We appreciate his impact and wish him the best! For more information: www.genengnews.com/topics/omics...

Happy Rare Disease Day! Thank you for all you do to contribute to the efforts to advance science in Rare Diseases. Learn more at www.rarediseaseday.us

An abrupt cut to NIH payments could disrupt research, impact scientists, and stall medical progress—all while leaving research animals in limbo. Read More: science.org/content/article/death-ax-nih-payments-lawsuit-could-determine-fate-millions-research-animals

With so many challenges as of late, it’s easy to lose sight of the important work we do. So, we’re starting Feel Good Friday—a look at discoveries that bring real hope. This week: a breakthrough giving kids with brain cancer a fighting chance: news.emory.edu/stories/2025...

Scientists found high levels of cholesterol byproduct, 24-OHC, worsen Parkinson’s. Future studies could explore how 24-OHC impacts disease progression and potential treatments. Source: scitechdaily.com/scientists-just-found-a-cholesterol-clue-that-could-change-parkinsons-treatment

✨Celebrating Women in Science! 🧬👩‍🔬 Women in science break barriers and drive discoveries that shape our world. 🚀On this #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience, our first female chair, Sabine Hölter-Koch, shares her inspiration for the women and girls leading the next generation. 🔬 #WomenInSTEM

New study links stress granules to Alzheimer's, offering a clearer target for research and potential treatments! 🧠🔬 Source: www.sciencealert.com/radical-stud...

We often focus on DNA today, but its origins are fascinating. A recent study in PNAS delves into the order in which amino acids were added to the genetic code, shedding light on the evolution of life's building blocks.

Want to know how scientists model SARS-CoV-2 to test vaccines & treatments? Discover preclinical research's power (and limits) related to pandemic research. Source: frontiersin.org/research-topics/58261/immune-studies-of-sars-cov2-and-vaccines-using-preclinical-modeling

Long-lived DNA damage in blood stem cells can persist for years, increasing cancer risk—a breakthrough in understanding mutation timing. Source: scitechdaily.com/new-research-uncovers-long-lived-dna-damage-linked-to-cancer

New spatial transcriptomics tech maps the brain at cellular resolution, unlocking insights for neuroscience research. Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39571016!

Explore how mice with VR goggles help unlock Alzheimer's mysteries. Watch the breakthrough in action Source: cnn.com/2025/01/15/health/video/mouse-vr-headset-alzheimers-research-ldn-digvid!

Thank you, Dr. Bertagnolli, for your visionary leadership and dedication to advancing research at NIH. Your impact will be felt for years to come. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter! www.nih.gov/about-nih/wh...

Dr. Francis Collins, former NIH director, advocates for integrating spiritual well-being into healthcare. Collins's perspective encourages an approach that includes scientific and spiritual dimensions: cnn.com/2024/12/23/health/francis-collins-faith-science-public-health-wellness/index.html