Irena Feng
@irenafeng.bsky.social
studying neuronal vulnerability in Alzheimer's with @jproussa.bsky.social 🧠🧫🧪 • UChicago '19 ➡️ BU MD/PhD candidate + ADRC REC scholar • she/her 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Irena Feng
@irenafeng.bsky.social
· Jun 12
And that's a wrap on #KSNeurodegen25! It was so fun chatting with people about my poster, making new friends, and enjoying the scenery and weather 🤩 Thanks to @keystonesymposia.bsky.social for hosting this conference (and for my brand-new coaster from winning musical bingo!!!)
Reposted by Irena Feng
Another great preprint on neuronal APOE4 from the Huang lab!
Neuronal APOE4 alone is sufficient to drive tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.25.690488v1
November 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Another great preprint on neuronal APOE4 from the Huang lab!
And also: "the modifications in review practices outlined above will be in place through the May 2026 Advisory Council."
Confirmation of the new triage line at 65-70% of proposals. Introduction of a new “competitive but ND” class to permit exception pay pickups.
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 PM
And also: "the modifications in review practices outlined above will be in place through the May 2026 Advisory Council."
Reposted by Irena Feng
Confirmation of the new triage line at 65-70% of proposals. Introduction of a new “competitive but ND” class to permit exception pay pickups.
November 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Confirmation of the new triage line at 65-70% of proposals. Introduction of a new “competitive but ND” class to permit exception pay pickups.
Reposted by Irena Feng
🧪💉Just a friendly reminder that vaccines work and are one of the greatest inventions of modern medicine. Wishing this piece was not feeling so relevant again. www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
🧪💉Just a friendly reminder that vaccines work and are one of the greatest inventions of modern medicine. Wishing this piece was not feeling so relevant again. www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
Reposted by Irena Feng
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Seeing this while working on my F30 is not exciting 🥲
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 14, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Seeing this while working on my F30 is not exciting 🥲
Reposted by Irena Feng
APOE4 to APOE2 allelic switching in mice improves Alzheimer’s disease-related metabolic signatures, neuropathology and cognition www.nature.com/articles/s41...
APOE4 to APOE2 allelic switching in mice improves Alzheimer’s disease-related metabolic signatures, neuropathology and cognition - Nature Neuroscience
Using a mouse model enabling an inducible ‘switch’, Golden et al. show that an astrocyte-specific replacement of the Alzheimer’s risk gene APOE4 with protective APOE2 alters metabolism and gene expres...
www.nature.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:47 AM
APOE4 to APOE2 allelic switching in mice improves Alzheimer’s disease-related metabolic signatures, neuropathology and cognition www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Irena Feng
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
Reposted by Irena Feng
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
The Last Word On Nothing | Why AAAS won’t be using AI to write press releases anytime soon
www.lastwordonnothing.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Reposted by Irena Feng
Under the Big Ugly Bill, Alphabet gets $17.9B in tax breaks. That could pay for SNAP benefits for 7.5 million Americans.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
November 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Under the Big Ugly Bill, Alphabet gets $17.9B in tax breaks. That could pay for SNAP benefits for 7.5 million Americans.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
Reposted by Irena Feng
everyone talking about Frieren's demons has missed a better comparison, so-called "AI" like Grok, Claude, ChatGPT, a thing that mimics human syntax brilliantly, isn't capable of human thought or emotion, but merely preys on people
November 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
everyone talking about Frieren's demons has missed a better comparison, so-called "AI" like Grok, Claude, ChatGPT, a thing that mimics human syntax brilliantly, isn't capable of human thought or emotion, but merely preys on people
Reposted by Irena Feng
Up to 323 cancelled CSR study sections. That's more than the 204 sections cancelled earlier this year. Rescheduling is going to be a hot mess with NIH staff reductions and study section members heading into finals and holidays that limit availability. 🧪
Been a rough year for federally funded scientists, and I hate to add another tab to this spreadsheet. So far, the shutdown has resulted in cancellation of 161 CSR study sections. 🧪https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lLEx14q7HKrlYahQYJaN6aHKpMqSMJwX4aenyL5g_ZU/edit?usp=sharing
2025 Study section tracking
docs.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Up to 323 cancelled CSR study sections. That's more than the 204 sections cancelled earlier this year. Rescheduling is going to be a hot mess with NIH staff reductions and study section members heading into finals and holidays that limit availability. 🧪
Reposted by Irena Feng
Nature research paper: Specificity, length and luck drive gene rankings in association studies
go.nature.com/47Fsqax
go.nature.com/47Fsqax
Specificity, length and luck drive gene rankings in association studies - Nature
Genetic association tests prioritize candidate genes based on different criteria.
go.nature.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Nature research paper: Specificity, length and luck drive gene rankings in association studies
go.nature.com/47Fsqax
go.nature.com/47Fsqax
Reposted by Irena Feng
Announcing our new preprint! We built SPICE, a framework that combines large-scale experiments and generative AI to design RNA sequences that control cell type-specific gene expression using alternative splicing – a powerful, underexplored modality.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(1/10)
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(1/10)
Generative Design of Cell Type-Specific RNA Splicing Elements for Programmable Gene Regulation
Programmable control of gene expression in specific cell types is essential for both basic discovery and therapeutic intervention, yet current strategies lack scalability across diverse cellular conte...
www.biorxiv.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Announcing our new preprint! We built SPICE, a framework that combines large-scale experiments and generative AI to design RNA sequences that control cell type-specific gene expression using alternative splicing – a powerful, underexplored modality.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(1/10)
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(1/10)
Reposted by Irena Feng
Scientists have created the most detailed maps yet of how our brains differentiate from stem cells during embryonic development and early life
go.nature.com/4qIpjr3
go.nature.com/4qIpjr3
First ever atlas of brain development shows how stem cells turn into neurons
A collection of studies that chart how mammalian brain cells grow and differentiate is a ‘very valuable’ tool for neuroscientists.
go.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Scientists have created the most detailed maps yet of how our brains differentiate from stem cells during embryonic development and early life
go.nature.com/4qIpjr3
go.nature.com/4qIpjr3
Reposted by Irena Feng
FYI: New online! Redefining cellular reprogramming with advanced genomic technologies
Redefining cellular reprogramming with advanced genomic technologies
Nature Reviews Genetics, Published online: 17 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41576-025-00899-yMorris discusses how single-cell genomics and computational tools expose failure points in reprogramming and guide protocols that improve the fidelity, maturity and purity of engineered cells, advancing their use in regenerative medicine and disease modelling.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
FYI: New online! Redefining cellular reprogramming with advanced genomic technologies
Reposted by Irena Feng
Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight
Reposted by Irena Feng
Multi-Year funding analysis, a 🧵
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
November 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Multi-Year funding analysis, a 🧵
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
Reposted by Irena Feng
ICYMI: A team of researchers unveiled the complete connectome of an entire male fruit fly central nervous system, encompassing the central brain, optic lobes, and ventral nerve cord. https://hhmi.news/4o3EJnk
Researchers reveal connectome of the male fruit fly central nervous system
A team of researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus has unveiled the complete connectome of a male fruit fly central nervous system—a seamless map of all the neurons in the brain and nerve cord of...
hhmi.news
November 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
ICYMI: A team of researchers unveiled the complete connectome of an entire male fruit fly central nervous system, encompassing the central brain, optic lobes, and ventral nerve cord. https://hhmi.news/4o3EJnk
Reposted by Irena Feng
Story in Being Patient about Alzheimer's disease funding noting the decrease in the funding of number of new projects due, in part, to the number of multiyear funded grants from the National Institute on Aging.
beingpatient.com/alzheimers-r...
beingpatient.com/alzheimers-r...
NIH Alzheimer’s Research Funding Is Back — for 49% Fewer Projects
Though the NIH director is calling for $187 million more in funding for Alzheimer’s, the NIH is funding fewer new projects.
beingpatient.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Story in Being Patient about Alzheimer's disease funding noting the decrease in the funding of number of new projects due, in part, to the number of multiyear funded grants from the National Institute on Aging.
beingpatient.com/alzheimers-r...
beingpatient.com/alzheimers-r...
Reposted by Irena Feng
I loved this story on breeding and growing apples.
Some really marvelous things simply cannot be scaled.
Worse, we destroy lose what makes them wonderful when we try.
Some really marvelous things simply cannot be scaled.
Worse, we destroy lose what makes them wonderful when we try.
was wondering why all the honeycrisps we bought the past two years, even from the fancy local grocer, were mushy, mealy messes and i guess this is a legitimate thing, unfortunately
www.seriouseats.com/how-honeycri...
www.seriouseats.com/how-honeycri...
How Honeycrisp Apples Went From Marvel to Mediocre
An investigation into the Honeycrisp apple and how a complex string of events led to a decline in the quality of a beloved apple variety.
www.seriouseats.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I loved this story on breeding and growing apples.
Some really marvelous things simply cannot be scaled.
Worse, we destroy lose what makes them wonderful when we try.
Some really marvelous things simply cannot be scaled.
Worse, we destroy lose what makes them wonderful when we try.
Reposted by Irena Feng
Academia hivemind: I'm trying to map out the NIH review process to the best of my knowledge (having never served on an study section myself). Does this look about right to you? Any feedback is appreciated!
October 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Academia hivemind: I'm trying to map out the NIH review process to the best of my knowledge (having never served on an study section myself). Does this look about right to you? Any feedback is appreciated!
Reposted by Irena Feng
It’s no surprise that the Nazis in control of the US are dismantling ethics review boards given the direct link between these boards and the defeat of the Nazis in WW2.
journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/hist...
journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/hist...
October 20, 2025 at 11:41 AM
It’s no surprise that the Nazis in control of the US are dismantling ethics review boards given the direct link between these boards and the defeat of the Nazis in WW2.
journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/hist...
journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/hist...
Reposted by Irena Feng
A 60 second summary of some of the biggest and best sights from #NoKings Day.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
October 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A 60 second summary of some of the biggest and best sights from #NoKings Day.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Reposted by Irena Feng
Sure.
First, a caveat. F awardees must activate their awards within 6 months of receiving the Notice of Award.
See grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Given the lateness of many awards, there may be additional F awards appearing in NIH Reporter over time. Thus, the news may get somewhat better.
1/3
First, a caveat. F awardees must activate their awards within 6 months of receiving the Notice of Award.
See grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Given the lateness of many awards, there may be additional F awards appearing in NIH Reporter over time. Thus, the news may get somewhat better.
1/3
@jeremymberg.bsky.social has done a really nice analysis of 2025 NIH trainee funding. Thanks Jeremy! Kinda depressing as I'm helping my grad student preparing a new F31 application. Can you break any of this down by institute please?
A summary of training, fellowship, and career development awards
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
October 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Sure.
First, a caveat. F awardees must activate their awards within 6 months of receiving the Notice of Award.
See grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Given the lateness of many awards, there may be additional F awards appearing in NIH Reporter over time. Thus, the news may get somewhat better.
1/3
First, a caveat. F awardees must activate their awards within 6 months of receiving the Notice of Award.
See grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Given the lateness of many awards, there may be additional F awards appearing in NIH Reporter over time. Thus, the news may get somewhat better.
1/3