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Agnel Sfeir

@agnelsfeir.bsky.social
2.5K followers 592 following 25 posts

Scientist. www.sfeirlab.com Prof. at MSKCC and co-founder of Repare Therapeutics. 🇱🇧+🇺🇸 in NYC

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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
mtDNA deletions cause incurable diseases. Our CRISPR screen found a fix: deleting MTERF1 restores mitochondrial function, not by clearing bad genomes, but by making the healthy ones work harder. Simple Biology! New preprint 👇 @tatakavlashvili.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
MTERF1 loss buffers against pathogenic mtDNA deletions through transcriptional regulation
Large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions cripple oxidative phosphorylation once they exceed a critical heteroplasmy threshold, causing incurable mitochondrial pathologies. Using a genome-wide C...
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The Sfeir Lab at MSKCC is hiring a Research Assistant! We are looking for a motivated scientist with at least 2 years of research experience and a two-year commitment. Learn more about our work here www.sfeirlab.com, and message me your CV and cover letter if interested
sfeirlab.com
Sfeir Lab
The official website of the Sfeir Lab at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine of New York University Langone Medical Center.
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NY-CURES @nycures.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
New opinion in @lohud.com by Jonathan Teyan & Paola Bianchimano on why NYS must invest in biomedical research through EBRI including the fact that NY trains 1 in 7 U.S. doctors—and public research investment delivers up to a 10:1 economic return. EBRI would secure both. www.lohud.com/story/opinio...
lohud.com
NY leads in science. We must invest in biomedical research | Opinion
We are at an inflection point in how we support science in the U.S. New York state must invest in its science institutions and workforce.
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
NYers helps us call on @governor.ny.gov to invest in the Empire Biomedical Research Institute. A robust, stable research ecosystem protects jobs, fuels innovation, and builds community health. NY must invest in our global leadership in science. nycures.org @gothamist.com: tinyurl.com/5fab5k7u
tinyurl.com
NY medical schools press Gov. Hochul to put up billions for scientific research
The request comes amid continuing uncertainty over federal funding, with research and thousands of jobs on the line.
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
📢 Telomere community: Registration and abstract submission are now open for the EMBO Workshop “Telomere function and maintenance in health and disease”, May 25–30, 2026, in Lazise, Italy 🇮🇹. Looking forward to an exciting meeting! Please re-post. meetings.embo.org/event/26-tel...
meetings.embo.org
Telomere function and maintenance in health and disease
Telomeres are specialized structures that protect the ends of linear chromosomes in eukaryotes. Research in this area has revealed that telomere maintenance is critical for stem cell function and nor…
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Ernst Schmid @ernstschmid.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Thrilled to share that the final piece of my PhD work is now on bioRxiv! biorxiv.org/content/10.1... With support from @nvidia and the @NSF, we used AlphaFold to screen 1.6M+ protein pairs, revealing thousands of potential novel PPIs. All data can be viewed at predictomes.org/hp
biorxiv.org
Proteome-wide in silico screening for human protein-protein interactions
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) drive virtually all biological processes, yet most PPIs have not been identified and even more remain structurally unresolved. We developed a two-step computational...
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MSKEducation @mskeducation.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Meet #MSKPostdoc Megan E. Kelley (@meganekelley.bsky.social) in the @agnelsfeir.bsky.social Lab, where she studies error-prone DNA 🧬 damage repair in the context of cancer and drug resistance. 👏 Congrats to Megan on receiving both the NCI F32 and MSK Society Scholar awards! #NPAW2025
#BecomingAScientist: Being a scientist is one of the most exciting and engaging careers that exists. It demands the work of a community of researchers to make meaningful progress and thrives on a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to solve some of the world's most complex and interesting problems. The opportunity to join this global community and contribute to our shared mission of understanding our world and benefiting humanity is a gift.

#CareerAdvice: Own your missteps and keep moving forward. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and give yourself grace when you need it. And we work better together, so accept help when you can.

Megan E. Kelley, PhD
Sfeir Lab

National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 2025
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Congrats Maria! very well deserved... @mskcancercenter.bsky.social @mskeducation.bsky.social
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MSKEducation @mskeducation.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
🎉 Congratulations to our 10 MSK Postdoc Slam finalists! 👏 You were all fantastic and it was truly inspiring to learn about the incredible and diverse work happening at @mskcancercenter.bsky.social. Our #MSKPostdocs gave the judges a real challenge… choosing winners was no easy task! 🤗 #NPAW2025
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MSKEducation @mskeducation.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
While our judges deliberate the top 3 winners of MSK Postdoc Slam, let’s celebrate our #NPAW2025 📸 contest champs! 🎉 🥇 @meganekelley.bsky.social – @agnelsfeir.bsky.social lab 🥈 Zhendong Cao – @sawyerslabmskcc.bsky.social 🥉 Manendra Lankadasari – Jones lab Congrats to our amazing #MSKPostdocs! 👏📷
NPAW 2025 photo contest winners
Penni for our thoughts - Megan E. Kelley (Sfeir Lab)
May your generating station for science never stop, and may it kiss the skyline with a touch of beauty - Zhendong Cao (Sawyers Lab)
Who needs WiFi when the universe is streaming live above your tent? - Manendra Lankadasari (Jones Lab)
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MSKEducation @mskeducation.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
It’s SHOW TIME! 🎤 Kicking off the MSK Postdoc Slam is @meganekelley.bsky.social from the @agnelsfeir.bsky.social lab, diving into how error-prone DNA repair fuels drug resistance in cancer 🧬💊
Megan Elizabeth Kelley, PhD
Sfeir Lab/ Molecular Biology
Losing our edge: Combating drug resistance in cancer
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Naama Aviram @naamaaviram.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Now accepting applications for our 2026 Cancer Biology & Cancer Engineering programs. Aspiring scientists & engineers will solve fundamental problems in biology & conduct research & develop technology that will help understand, diagnose & treat cancer. bit.ly/3WUiuo1
bit.ly
Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers the next generation of basic scientists a program to study the biological sciences through the lens of cancer
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NY-CURES @nycures.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
🚀 NY-CURES Launch — Championing State-Wide Investment in Science! 🚀 Our new coalition advocates for sustained public support of New York’s vibrant biomedical research ecosystem — creating cures, economic gains & strengthening communities. Sign up. Stay informed. Join the movement: www.nycures.org/
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Andrew Blackford @andrewblackford.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
We’re #hiring, please share! A fully funded #postdoc position is available in my lab to work on DNA damage response mechanisms. Please get in touch with your CV if you are interested; closing date: 27th June 2025. More details here: candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
candidate.hr-manager.net
Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Blackford Group
A position as Postdoctoral Research Associate is available at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, in the group headed by Dr. Andrew Blackford. Th
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Congrats!! Not a bad way to start your own lab 😜
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Alessandra Brambati @alebrambati.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Excited to share our latest from my postdoc at @mskcancercenter.bsky.social in the Sfeir Lab, in collaboration with the Simon Powell Lab! We uncovered a novel genome repair mechanism in human cells: RNA-templated DNA double-strand break repair (RT-DSBR). (1/5)
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Here is the link to the Last Week Tonight with John Oliver about RFK, Jr, public health, and HHS (including NIH) www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H34...
youtube.com
RFK Jr. & HHS: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
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Stirling Churchman @stirlingchurchman.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
My father-in-law, Jack Strominger, and I wrote a letter to the @wsj.com editor about the current threats to science due to Trump's funding freeze. Please repost! www.wsj.com/opinion/scie...
wsj.com
Opinion | Science Suffers With Trump’s Funding Freeze
America’s scientific enterprise demands reliable stewardship, not destabilizing political intervention.
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Gord Fishell @gordfishell.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Take a look at the harvard web site...We have our break-throughs and next generation drugs on full display! Come take a look at the new wonders of medicine! So proud to be a part of it!!! Harvard.edu
harvard.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
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Minczuk Lab @mitogene.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
🚨 Join us for the @faseborg.bsky.social Meeting on Mechanisms of Mitochondrial DNA Mutation and Repair, June 1 - 5, 2025 | Nashville, Tennessee. 📅 Abstract submission & Early Registration close on April 20, 2025! Don't miss out: events.faseb.org/event/mitoch... Please re-post!
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Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · 09/04/2025
Published an op-ed for @cnn.com: “Nobel laureate: I owe America my success. Today, its scientific future is in danger.” A personal reflection on what’s at stake as science funding gets slashed. I’d be grateful if you could amplify both in and beyond the science world. www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...
cnn.com
Nobel laureate: I owe America my success. Today, its scientific future is in danger | CNN
Dr. Ardem Patapoutian says he watches “with deep sadness as the United States’ remarkable scientific enterprise, which took generations of hard work and national investment to build, faces a concerted...
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Fusion Conferences @fusionconf.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
📢#BGFP25 GRANTS AVAILABLE & TALK DEADLINE EXTENDED! 💰We are excited to announce we have at least 10 reg support grants ready to award to those submitting abstracts! 🧑‍💼Our short talk submission deadline has been extended and will now close on 01 April. Submit your abstract HERE: bit.ly/3AnsVZF
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Ushma Neill @ushmaneill.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Harvey Society lecture tonight features Eric Olson. Come listen to an absolute giant in muscle biology! Bonus roast/ appreciation by me and Mary Baylies! harveysociety.org/lectures/abs...
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Kevin Collins @kwcollins.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Scientists have just cured pancreatic cancer in some patients with personalized mRNA vaccines. Pancreatic cancer. And this Trump administration wants to throw it all away. They’re throwing away a cure for cancer.
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Catalina Vasilescu, PhD @cvasilescu.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
A new collection of papers on #mitochondrialdiseases is ready: biomed.news/bims-mitdis/... Congratulations to all authors! @biomednews.bsky.social @mitoscientist.bsky.social @gavinmcstay.bsky.social Highlight: Engineering mtDNA deletions by reconstituting end joining in human mitochondria
Fu et al, Engineering mtDNA deletions by reconstituting end joining in human mitochondria
https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00194-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425001941%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
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Michael Glickman @michaelglickman.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Congrats Agnel! As a side note, also an example of how studying diverse systems of DNA repair yields unexpected benefits across domains of life, in this case the NHEJ system of mycobacteria, the first prokaryotic NHEJ system to be characterized: www.nature.com/articles/nsm...
nature.com
Mechanism of nonhomologous end-joining in mycobacteria: a low-fidelity repair system driven by Ku, ligase D and ligase C - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology - Mechanism of nonhomologous end-joining in mycobacteria: a low-fidelity repair system driven by Ku, ligase D and ligase C
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Ronan Chaligné @ronanchaligne.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
This publication is deeply meaningful to us, as Ignas tragically passed away last year from a sudden and aggressive cancer. Proud that his incredible scientific legacy lives on through this work. We will never forget him, and it has only strengthened our dedication to the work we do at MSKCC.
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
No matter what Rocket Man says, the NIH offers a strong return on investment www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
forbes.com
NIH Grants Fueled $95 Billion In FY 2024 Economic Activity, Finds New Report
National Institutes of Health grants generated almost $95 billion in economic activity nationwide in FY 2024 according to a new report by United for Medical Research.
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Itai Yanai @itaiyanai.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Postdoc Night Science NYC! Next session is Friday 4-6pm at MSK, to learn and practice the creative scientific process! The topic this time is the import/export of ideas. Yael David join us too! @davidlabmsk.bsky.social Limited spots: docs.google.com/forms/d/12bB... @kelseymonson.bsky.social
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Combining bacterial end joining with programmable nucleases, we induced mtDNA deletions in human cells at varying heteroplasmy and examined their metabolic and cellular effects. Simple tool to apply across any cell type and engineer pathogenic mtDNA deletions. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Engineering mtDNA deletions by reconstituting end joining in human mitochondria
Recent breakthroughs in the genetic manipulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have enabled precise base substitutions and the efficient elimination of…
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Carolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · 08/03/2025
Exciting new work from Barna Lab @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
A subcellular map of translational machinery composition and regulation at the single-molecule level
Millions of ribosomes are packed within mammalian cells, yet we lack tools to visualize them in toto and characterize their subcellular composition. In this study, we present ribosome expansion micros...
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Kelly Nguyen @kellythd-nguyen.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Excited to share our latest work, led by the incredible @automnenine.bsky.social (now an Ass. Prof. at Princeton)! We uncover key insights into the retrotransposition mechanisms of LINE-1 ORF2p, the enzyme responsible for writing a significant portion of our genome. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Structural mechanism of LINE-1 target-primed reverse transcription
Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons are the only active autonomous transposable elements in humans. They propagate by reverse transcribing their mRNA into new genomic locations by a ...
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Dirk Remus @dirkremus.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
How do replisomes walk on DNA? And what happens when they run into a G-quadruplex? @sahilbatra.bsky.social and @benallwein.bsky.social provide unexpected insight in our latest paper with Richard Hite @mskcancercenter.bsky.social @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/.... Congrats to all authors!
science.org
G-quadruplex–stalled eukaryotic replisome structure reveals helical inchworm DNA translocation
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non–B-form DNA secondary structures that threaten genome stability by impeding DNA replication. To elucidate how G4s induce replication fork arrest, we characterized fork ...
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Minczuk Lab @mitogene.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
REGISTRATION OPEN for @faseborg.bsky.social Meeting on Mechanisms of Mitochondrial DNA Mutation and Repair | June 1 - 5, 2025 | Nashville, Tennessee. Apply before it is too late: events.faseb.org/event/mitoch... Please re-post!
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
If you are interested in mitochondria, Nashville is the place to be June 1-5. Check out this FASEB meeting. Please RT. events.faseb.org/event/mitoch...
events.faseb.org
Mechanisms of Mitochondrial DNA Mutation and Repair
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Welcome to MSKCC!
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Join us in Lisbon this July to learn how cells "Balance Genome Fidelity & Plasticity". deadline for talks extended and a # of fellowships are available to offset trainee registration. www.fusion-conferences.com/conference/1...
fusion-conferences.com
Fusion Home
Our scientific research conferences support the development of physical, medical and life sciences, providing a powerful platform that encourages discussion and collaboration in luxury locations acros...
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Alessandra Brambati @alebrambati.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Huge thanks to the incredible team who made this work possible! 🙌 Check out the full preprint here: 🔗 doi.org/10.1101/2025... #GenomeInstability #DNARepair #RNA #CRISPR #DSB #Genomics @agnelsfeir.bsky.social @hinashah.bsky.social
doi.org
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Preprint alert
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Naama Aviram @naamaaviram.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
New year, new beginnings! 🎉 The Aviram Lab will officially open its doors on March 1st @mskcancercenter.bsky.social! We’ll study microbial immune systems and their connection to fundamental cellular processes like #RNA transcription and #DNA integrity. #NewPI #AcademicSky #WomenInSTEM (1/2)
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Nice findings on ecDNA segregation. Congrats John and Ashley!
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
I Used to Run the N.I.H. Here’s What Worries Me. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | American Science is Under Attack (Gift Article)
The Trump administration hobbles research and endangers the public health.
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Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · 11/02/2025
Who knew that growing up in war-torn Lebanon—adapting to constant danger and massive uncertainty—would prepare me, 40 years later, to cope with this situation in the United States!😂😜
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Samara Reck-Peterson @samreckpeterson.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
I am excited for this opportunity to chair the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine! news.weill.cornell.edu/news/2025/01...
news.weill.cornell.edu
Dr. Samara Reck-Peterson Named Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine
The newly configured department marshals biochemists, biophysicists and experts in protein engineering and imaging to drive discoveries in the basic mechanisms of cell function.
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E John Wherry @ejohnwherry.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
A full attack on US science means the red & blue lines will soon cross. Scientists just want science to progress to help society. This administration - and "Pres Musk" - is telling us they don't need/want US science. We will see many of our great ideas and innovation will go to China and elsewhere
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Fusion Conferences @fusionconf.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
⚠️DEADLINE APPROACHING ⚠️ #BGFP25 early bird and talk submission deadline closes on 30 Jan 2025! 🧬 Don't miss out on the opportunity to present at this fantastic conference in beautiful Portugal, submit your abstract now ➡️ bit.ly/3AnsVZF
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Jacob Corn @jcornlab.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Cells are filled with toxic stuff that damages healthy proteins. Is that garbage just left to rot on the curb? No way! Ubiquitin ligases have evolved to recognize chemical damage and clean it up! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
C-terminal amides mark proteins for degradation via SCF–FBXO31 - Nature
SCF–FBXO31 scans proteins for C-terminal amidation and marks them for subsequent proteasomal degradation.
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
feels like the right moment to invest ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV6g...
youtube.com
Don’t Cry, Cryo! 😂 Need a Break from Trump’s Term? Freeze Yourself for 4 Years!
YouTube video by newzy
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AndreaVentura @andreaventura.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
🧪1/ 🚨New paper on ecDNAs from our lab! We reveal a strategy to engineer extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) amplifications in cells & mice. Let's dive in! Let’s dive in! 🧵👇 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Engineered extrachromosomal oncogene amplifications promote tumorigenesis - Nature
Large extrachromosomal DNAs are engineered using a CRISPR- and Cre–loxP-based approach and shown to drive cancer in mouse models, with potential applications in determining the role of oncogene a...
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Agnel Sfeir @agnelsfeir.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
👏👏 when is ur first experiment?
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