Andrew Burgess
@drandrewburgess.bsky.social
Research Development | Grant Writing | ex-Scientist (Cell Division Lab, Mitosis, Cancer, Microscopy) | Bodyboarding | Gold Coast 🇦🇺 |
AndrewBurgessPhD.com
Opinions are my own
Super Talented Wife: vrmorrison.com rosemorrisonartist.com
AndrewBurgessPhD.com
Opinions are my own
Super Talented Wife: vrmorrison.com rosemorrisonartist.com
Pinned
Newbie Intro time: Hello everyone, was a cancer cell bio researcher in a past life, shut my lab down in 2022, and moved over to Research Development helping people survive the endless grant cycle. Quit twitter 2y ago and glad to see people again…time to post some gifs and silly science memes !
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Springer Nature tells @jacksonwryan.com that Scientific Reports paper about autism with the nonsensical figure will be retracted.
nobreakthroughs.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Springer Nature tells @jacksonwryan.com that Scientific Reports paper about autism with the nonsensical figure will be retracted.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Here's a report from Jenny Sinclair @jsresearchpro.bsky.social on the low success rate for DECRAs this week, driven by high demand and low Government funding for early career researchers in Australia.
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
Low success rate in early career grants ‘deeply disappointing’ - Research Professional News
“Decay continues” as Australian Research Council’s Decra scheme announces 13.1 per cent success rate
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Here's a report from Jenny Sinclair @jsresearchpro.bsky.social on the low success rate for DECRAs this week, driven by high demand and low Government funding for early career researchers in Australia.
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
No, not that FANCL!
New paper on FancL mutant mouse just out in @bloodadvances.bsky.social shows essential function of E3 RING ligase activity to phenotypes of #FanconiAnemia plus, Black Friday deal: a new model for testing gene editing therapies: ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
New paper on FancL mutant mouse just out in @bloodadvances.bsky.social shows essential function of E3 RING ligase activity to phenotypes of #FanconiAnemia plus, Black Friday deal: a new model for testing gene editing therapies: ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
November 27, 2025 at 2:04 AM
No, not that FANCL!
New paper on FancL mutant mouse just out in @bloodadvances.bsky.social shows essential function of E3 RING ligase activity to phenotypes of #FanconiAnemia plus, Black Friday deal: a new model for testing gene editing therapies: ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
New paper on FancL mutant mouse just out in @bloodadvances.bsky.social shows essential function of E3 RING ligase activity to phenotypes of #FanconiAnemia plus, Black Friday deal: a new model for testing gene editing therapies: ashpublications.org/bloodadvance...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Today is AusMusic T-Shirt Day, which raises money for Support Act, because support for Australian music is in such decline that it needs a charity to help.
Read Morgan Harrington’s full op-ed on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read Morgan Harrington’s full op-ed on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 27, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Today is AusMusic T-Shirt Day, which raises money for Support Act, because support for Australian music is in such decline that it needs a charity to help.
Read Morgan Harrington’s full op-ed on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read Morgan Harrington’s full op-ed on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
It's that but it is also what behaviours are required to survive. The concentration of particular attributes is a likely driver of the current poor status of Uni's.
November 26, 2025 at 11:10 PM
It's that but it is also what behaviours are required to survive. The concentration of particular attributes is a likely driver of the current poor status of Uni's.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Australian #NHMRC Ideas grants are out. 8.1% success rate. Lowest since the scheme began. Congrats to the successful few, as it looks like less than 200 were funded. 🧪
November 26, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Australian #NHMRC Ideas grants are out. 8.1% success rate. Lowest since the scheme began. Congrats to the successful few, as it looks like less than 200 were funded. 🧪
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
If anyone wondering about academic funding in Aus, this is the stark reality at present. I have written countless letters to politicians like @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social, @davidpocock.bsky.social who like to say they are leading this conversation in Aus but it is really like shouting into the void.
Australian #NHMRC Ideas grants are out. 8.1% success rate. Lowest since the scheme began. Congrats to the successful few, as it looks like less than 200 were funded. 🧪
November 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If anyone wondering about academic funding in Aus, this is the stark reality at present. I have written countless letters to politicians like @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social, @davidpocock.bsky.social who like to say they are leading this conversation in Aus but it is really like shouting into the void.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
The success rate for NHMRC Ideas Grants announced yesterday was just over 8%. That means 11 of every 12 people who applied got rejected. This is a culture changing level of rejection and frankly a point of national shame. This is a crisis for research.
I will not rest until we see this resolved.
I will not rest until we see this resolved.
November 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The success rate for NHMRC Ideas Grants announced yesterday was just over 8%. That means 11 of every 12 people who applied got rejected. This is a culture changing level of rejection and frankly a point of national shame. This is a crisis for research.
I will not rest until we see this resolved.
I will not rest until we see this resolved.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
8% success rate...
November 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
8% success rate...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Frikkin amazing stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Frikkin amazing stuff.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
ARC are considering a restructure in which jobs there will be lost, a source tells me.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
ARC are considering a restructure in which jobs there will be lost, a source tells me.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
🚨 #LIEF #LE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/287
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/287
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 3:03 AM
🚨 #LIEF #LE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/287
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/287
/bot
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
#CSIROcuts
A DMer has reported that researchers working in areas Minister Ayers said would be cut (nutrition) first found this out via media reports of the Minister’s statements.
It wasn’t ’til the following day that CSIRO told them their specific area would be targeted.
Nice.
A DMer has reported that researchers working in areas Minister Ayers said would be cut (nutrition) first found this out via media reports of the Minister’s statements.
It wasn’t ’til the following day that CSIRO told them their specific area would be targeted.
Nice.
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 AM
#CSIROcuts
A DMer has reported that researchers working in areas Minister Ayers said would be cut (nutrition) first found this out via media reports of the Minister’s statements.
It wasn’t ’til the following day that CSIRO told them their specific area would be targeted.
Nice.
A DMer has reported that researchers working in areas Minister Ayers said would be cut (nutrition) first found this out via media reports of the Minister’s statements.
It wasn’t ’til the following day that CSIRO told them their specific area would be targeted.
Nice.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:34 AM
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Some cells are just in it for the drama!
The bottom 5 microns of cells videoed through a microscope by @EmmaKoory. The middle cell rounds up (for fun?) and subsequently rounds up to divide. We missed so much of the action by just sampling the bottom. @CellBiology
The bottom 5 microns of cells videoed through a microscope by @EmmaKoory. The middle cell rounds up (for fun?) and subsequently rounds up to divide. We missed so much of the action by just sampling the bottom. @CellBiology
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Some cells are just in it for the drama!
The bottom 5 microns of cells videoed through a microscope by @EmmaKoory. The middle cell rounds up (for fun?) and subsequently rounds up to divide. We missed so much of the action by just sampling the bottom. @CellBiology
The bottom 5 microns of cells videoed through a microscope by @EmmaKoory. The middle cell rounds up (for fun?) and subsequently rounds up to divide. We missed so much of the action by just sampling the bottom. @CellBiology
Easiest tell these are all fake is that any half decent microscopy person would never use a Red-Green-Blue LUT.
Gemini 3 created this figure in under 30 seconds from a couple reference images and a one sentence prompt
So I’m at a loss for words, honestly #MicroscopyMonday
So I’m at a loss for words, honestly #MicroscopyMonday
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Easiest tell these are all fake is that any half decent microscopy person would never use a Red-Green-Blue LUT.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Neoliberalism's toll: "a weakened public school system, financially stressed universities, and a #CSIRO repeatedly stripped of long-term capability."
We have lost "depth, continuity, and trust, conditions that science requires but markets cannot provide." #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
We have lost "depth, continuity, and trust, conditions that science requires but markets cannot provide." #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Innovation talk, austerity walk: Australia’s failing science policy
Despite constant rhetoric about innovation, Australia is steadily dismantling its scientific capacity. Public schools, universities and the CSIRO are all under pressure – the result of decades of mark...
johnmenadue.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Neoliberalism's toll: "a weakened public school system, financially stressed universities, and a #CSIRO repeatedly stripped of long-term capability."
We have lost "depth, continuity, and trust, conditions that science requires but markets cannot provide." #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
We have lost "depth, continuity, and trust, conditions that science requires but markets cannot provide." #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
I'd have to do a lot more analysis, but the core problem remains: This promotes a publish-or-perish mentality that puts extreme pressure on researchers, particularly young researchers, and suggests the way to land on Best Lists is to rack up citations 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Are You in Australia's Top 250 Researchers? Who Cares!
(Yet) An(other) argument for science journalism in the newsroom.
nobreakthroughs.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I'd have to do a lot more analysis, but the core problem remains: This promotes a publish-or-perish mentality that puts extreme pressure on researchers, particularly young researchers, and suggests the way to land on Best Lists is to rack up citations 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Check out this beautiful paper by @richardcsilva.bsky.social et al., out now in @natcomms.nature.com. Great new DSB sensors to track DNA break formation and repair in real-time
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Engineered chromatin readers track damaged chromatin dynamics in live cells and animals - Nature Communications
DNA damage threatens genome stability, but its dynamics in living systems remain difficult to track. Here, the authors engineer MCPH1-based protein probes that specifically recognize γH2AX, enabling r...
www.nature.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Check out this beautiful paper by @richardcsilva.bsky.social et al., out now in @natcomms.nature.com. Great new DSB sensors to track DNA break formation and repair in real-time
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
I tried an even harder example on Gemini Pro image generation and this is quite scary/amazing. I asked for a microscopy image of around 20 HeLa cells, GFP tagged 20% nuclear, 10% membrane, +1 nuclear staining, + overlap. Image below and prompt in the following post.
November 21, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I tried an even harder example on Gemini Pro image generation and this is quite scary/amazing. I asked for a microscopy image of around 20 HeLa cells, GFP tagged 20% nuclear, 10% membrane, +1 nuclear staining, + overlap. Image below and prompt in the following post.
Reposted by Andrew Burgess
Attempt number seven at uploading this video of intermediate filaments in an enormous COS7 cell. I have a feeling the BlueSky compression will not do it any favors.
November 21, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Attempt number seven at uploading this video of intermediate filaments in an enormous COS7 cell. I have a feeling the BlueSky compression will not do it any favors.