José Miguel Laplaza
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pontobio.bsky.social
José Miguel Laplaza
@pontobio.bsky.social
640 followers 370 following 20 posts
Scientist and entrepreneur in the Biotech and Agtech space. Co-founder @rojobio, transforming the production of natural ingredients. Open to new opportunities in the synthetic biotech space.
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pontobio.bsky.social
Fashion is entering a biotech era, and BioRunway is tracking how new material technologies are driving that transformation.
I just contributed a fermentation piece to it, and if you're into fashion-tech or bio-materials, they’re worth a look:
biorunway.com/articles/fer...
From microbrew to microfiber: The science of fermentation in fashion
How fermentation produces fibers, dyes, and materials
biorunway.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by José Miguel Laplaza
carlbergstrom.com
1. What does a Cold War-era game theory problem known as the silent duel have to do with high-risk research strategies, publication in Cell/Nature/Science glamor journals, and the academic job market?

Kevin Gross and I tackle these questions in our latest arXiv preprint: arxiv.org/abs/2509.06718
How competition propels scientific risk-taking Kevin Gross∗ Department of Statistics North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC USA Carl T. Bergstrom† Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle, WA USA (Dated: September 9, 2025) In science as elsewhere, attention is a limited resource and scientists compete with one another to produce the most exciting, novel and impactful results. We develop a game-theoretic model to explore how such competition influences the degree of risk that scientists are willing to embrace in their research endeavors. We find that competition for scarce resources—for example, publications in elite journals, prestigious prizes, and faculty jobs—motivates scientific risk-taking and may be important in counterbalancing other incentives that favor cautious, incremental science. Even small amounts of competition induce substantial risk-taking. Moreover, we find that in an “opt-in” contest, increasing the stakes induces increased participation—which crowds the contest and further impels entrants to pursue higher-risk, higher-return investigations. The model also illuminates a source of tension in academic training and collaboration. Researchers at different career stages differ in their need to amass accomplishments that distinguish them from their peers, and therefore may not agree on what degree of risk to accept.
September 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
I have been using ChatGPT and this surprised me. So I decided to test if the problem is ChatGPT thinking capabilities is this bad or is the image capabilities bad. So I asked ChatGPT for the top 20 geneticist after Mendel with a two word summary of what they are know for. 1/2
geoffgreen.org Geoff Green @geoffgreen.org · Aug 8
I've seen this on Bluesky and had to try it myself. The image below was the response to the prompt: "Show me a diagram of the US presidents since Herbert Hoover, with their names and years in office under their photos" Bravo, OpenAI, bravo.
A very mistaken list of the last 12 presidents of the United States and their years in office produced by the Ph.D level scholar known as ChatGPT-5. Includes John F. Katwady, president 1991-1968; George W. bush, president 220Z-1999), and Bill Christen, president 1999-2001
August 8, 2025 at 10:43 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
At the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference. Listening to the Top 13 Governor’s Business Plan Contest Pitches.
This image shows a presentation schedule sign for the 2025 ‘Diligent (Baker’s) Dozen’ at the Entrepreneurs’ Conference, which took place on June 4-5, 2025, at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. The sign lists 13 presenting companies, each categorized by sector: Information Technology • BreezyFile • Service ID • Strudel AI Life Sciences • CellTrack • Phoenix-Aid • Sea Change Silicides • Synpha Biosciences Corp. Business Services • Equability • Induction Technologies • SwallowEase Diagnostics Advanced Manufacturing • FerroMX • Galasys • Saturn Agrisense
June 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
I think Colossal did a disservice to the world by not telling George RR Martin he couldn't see the "dire wolves" until he finished "The Winds of Winter."
April 9, 2025 at 1:19 AM
pontobio.bsky.social
Trump pretends to be powerful and wins, Democrats pretend to be weak and loose. We need new leaders.
March 13, 2025 at 11:27 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
Stand for Science March. Madison Wisconsin.
Stand for Science March in front of the Capitol. Madison Wisconsin.
March 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by José Miguel Laplaza
anthrofuentes.bsky.social
If you can, do something, speak up and act up. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientists as political advocates
Science, both teaching and doing, is under attack. The recent US presidential election of a person and platform with anti-science bias exemplifies this. The study of climate processes and patterns and...
www.science.org
February 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
Eight years ago I went to Washington for the March for Science at the beginning of Trump I. He is right, and I cannot believe that we have to do it again.
carlbergstrom.com Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · Feb 2
Science is political. It wouldn't necessarily have to be partisan.

But when one party is opposed to science-based policy, scientists have a choice between saying "you're right, thoughts and prayers are probably as effective as reducing carbon emissions" or saying "fuck that."
February 3, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Reposted by José Miguel Laplaza
dburbach.bsky.social
Oh my god. Its real (Id seen chatter). OMB imposes a TOTAL halt on federal grants and loans, including disbursements on already awarded grants, and cancels all announcements of opportunity and such.

In the future, "ALL" grants and awards at agencies must be approved by "a political appointee"
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Jan 27
NEW — OMB temporarily pauses all agency grants and loans programs.

Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
SUBJECT: Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs 'The American people elected Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States and gave him a mandate to increase the impact of every federal taxpayer dollar. In Fiscal Year 2024. of the nearly $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent, more than $3 trillion was Federal financial assistance, such as grants and loans. Career and political appointees in the Executive Branch have a duty to align Federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through Presidential priorities. Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending wokeness" and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve. This memorandum requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President's policies and requirements. For example, during the initial days of his Administration, President Donald J Trump issued a series of executive orders to protect the American people and safeguard valuable taxpayer resources, including Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025). Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid (Jan 20, 2025), Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (Jan. 20, 2025). Unleashing American Energy (Jan. 20. 2025). Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (Jan. 20. ent these orders, each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all jal assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that any of the President's executive orders. In the interian, to the extent applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency nay be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial surice tot foreign nongovernmental organizations, DEL woke gender ideology, and the pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the he temporary pause will become effective on January 28, 2025, at 5:00 rehensive analysis. Federal agencies must immediately deadlines for assistance programs arising while the les must report this information to OMB along with an directs Federal agencies to pause all activities associated conducting merit review panels No later than Febrar - 10. 2025, agencies shail submit to OMB detailed information on any programs projects or activities subject to this pause. Each agency must pause. (i) issuance of disbursement of Federal funds under all open awards, and (il) other relevant has reviewed provided guidance to your agency with respect to the information act recordin grant and ptions allowing Federal agencies to issue new awards or take other case basis. To the extent required by law, Federal agencies may continue nistrative actions. such as closeout of Federal awards (2 CFR 200.344), or expressly required by law
January 27, 2025 at 11:44 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
So, we can hypothesize why the aliens died at the end of the "War of the Worlds." They were a mirror life. PS I am glad they didn't have bacteria contamination with them.

purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036
Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks
This report describes the technical feasibility of creating mirror bacteria and the potentially serious and wide-ranging risks that they could pose to humans, other animals, plants, and the environ...
purl.stanford.edu
December 13, 2024 at 2:24 AM
Reposted by José Miguel Laplaza
plantteaching.bsky.social

Judge blocks rule that eased U.S. reviews of biotech crops
Some plant researchers fear the setback could last years and will stifle innovation. (From Science) #PlantScience
www.science.org/content/arti...
Judge blocks rule that eased U.S. reviews of biotech crops
Some plant researchers fear the setback could last years and will stifle innovation
www.science.org
December 11, 2024 at 8:28 AM
pontobio.bsky.social
Thank you to Forward Biolabs (Madison, WI) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for awarding RojoBio a 2024 Forward Biolabs Membership. Biotech startups should explore Forward Biolabs for great lab space and community! Highly recommended.

www.linkedin.com/posts/forwar...
Forward BIOLABS on LinkedIn: #startups #concept #commercialization #biohealth #woman #minority…
Madison, WI, [12/10/2024] –- Forward BIOLABS, with support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), is thrilled to announce the recipients…
www.linkedin.com
December 10, 2024 at 11:57 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
Cartels are interested in chemistry students! Is just a matter of time when they explore biotech to make drugs. Twenty years ago some people thought that they had use biotech to make a "round-up" resistant variety of coca. 1/2

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/w...
Mexican Cartels Lure Chemistry Students to Make Fentanyl
Criminals turn college campuses into recruitment hubs, recruiting chemistry students in Mexico with big paydays.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2024 at 11:34 PM
pontobio.bsky.social
I still don't understand how at least two biotech that are trying to make a "bee-free honey" are going to compete with the fake honey companies that are out there that are hard to identify.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
World Beekeeping Awards axe honey prize due to fraud
A report found that 46% of sampled honey products had likely been bulked out with cheaper sugar syrups.
www.bbc.com
December 1, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by José Miguel Laplaza
alexis-verger.cpesr.fr
Look who's here
@pnas.org ✔️
@science.org ✔️
@naturecellbiology.bsky.social ✔️
@natrevgenet.bsky.social ✔️
@naturebiotech.bsky.social ✔️
@naturemicrobiol.bsky.social ✔️
@naturechemistry.bsky.social ✔️
@genesdev.bsky.social ✔️
@cellchembiol.bsky.social ✔️
@genomeresearch.bsky.social ✔️
@jcellbiol.bsky.social ✔️
November 25, 2024 at 1:47 PM