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Blanca Díaz Castro

@bdiazcastro.bsky.social
743 followers 754 following 29 posts

Neuroscientist passionate about astrocytes and the brain vasculature. Group leader at @UKDRI - @EdinburghUni. (she/her) www.diaz-castrolab.com

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Reposted by Blanca Díaz Castro
Sue Fletcher-Watson @suereviews.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Are you Trans? Autistic? Both? Please tell us about your experience of hiding aspects of your identity and the impact of that on your mental health Online survey study, takes about 15 minutes. edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... (replaces previous post with wrong link) #AutRes
This image is a recruitment advertisement for a survey study about autism, gender identity, and masking. It contains images of the trans pride flag, rainbow infinity symbol and a QR code. The text on the advertisement states ‘participate in our survey and tell us about your experience of hiding your identity. To access the survey or learn more about the study please use the QR code below or follow this link. The main researcher for this project is Mark Somerville, a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. The link provided on the image is in the main post.
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Ʌʗʜʋʗɑɼɼʘ @achucarro.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Achucarro International Glia School is back! #AIGS26 Registration period is already open, and the final programme accessible. Looking forward to this edition in #Plentzia www.achucarro.org/gl... #astrocytes #microglia #oligodendrocytes #glialcells
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UK Glia Network @ukglia.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
🎉 Join us at the UK Glia 2026 meeting, 8–9 June. Registration open now, abstracts due 16 Jan. 🔗 www.physoc.org/events/uk-gl... .In this post, meet Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social from UK DRI @ukdri.ac.uk and the University of Edinburgh @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social
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Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Two more weeks until the deadline! 👇🏽👇🏻👇🏿👇🏾👇🏼
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Dementia Researcher @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Postdoctoral Researcher Vacancy at the @ukdri.ac.uk Hall Lab UCL London with Catherine Hall exploring how vascular dysfunction shapes brain activity in dementia research. Closing date: 4th January www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/job/research...
dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
Research Fellow: Dysfunctional vasculature
Postdoctoral Researcher at the Hall Lab UCL London with Catherine Hall exploring how vascular dysfunction shapes brain activity in dementia research.
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Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
👉🏼👉🏾👉🏻👉🏿👉🏽An opportunity for a PhD studentship in my lab to investigate the mechanisms that mediate the specialization astrocyte endfeet (subcellular compartments enwrapping the vasculature) in collaboration with the magnificent Lorena Arancibia. See below:
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Edinburgh Neuroscience @edinunineuro.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Data from this study by Isabel Bravo-Ferrer and colleagues paves the way for future studies to investigate how region-specific blood-brain barrier dysfunction may contribute to disease-associated regional vulnerability in the brain. Real the full paper: edin.ac/4idNn1a
edin.ac
Multiregional blood-brain barrier phenotyping identifies the prefrontal cortex as the most vulnerable region to ageing in mice
Bravo-Ferrer, Gaadal-Bech et al. examined age-associated alterations of the mouse blood-brain barrier across three brain regions. Using immunofluorescence,
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Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
On my way to San Diego for the Society for Neuroscience 2025 conference to present in the amazing minisymposium: Astrocytes as therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disorders. Anyone there? 👀
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UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 12/11/2025
A team led by Blanca Díaz Castro (UK DRI at Edinburgh) has uncovered how specialised cells in the blood-brain barrier communicate, and how that dialogue changes during inflammation & disease. The research could lead to new therapeutic targets👉 buff.ly/jXxViZO
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Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Finally it’s here! 🌟⬇️ www.nature.com/articles/s41... I’m sooo excited to share our latest article led by Steve Hill and Isabel Bravo-Ferrer 1- How does the vasculature communicate with astrocytes? 2- Is this communication dependent to what happens in the body. 3- Is it relevant to human diseases?
nature.com
Fig. 1: Establishment of methods to identify astrocyte endfoot proteins. | Nature Communications
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UK Glia Network @ukglia.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
📢 June 8th-9th 2026 Bristol University 📢 We have partnered with @physoc.bsky.social to organise the 2nd meeting Bristol. It is a privilege to announce Professor Baljit Khakh, FRS will join us in the UK. Check out the exciting programme here: www.physoc.org/events/uk-gl... #neuroskyence #glia
physoc.org
UK Glia 2026
UK Glia 2026 meeting will highlight the pivotal role of glia in brain physiology, offering invaluable insights for those investigating glia function in both health and disease. Find out more about the...
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Dementia Researcher @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
NIHR Postdoctoral Award funds researchers with a PhD or submitted thesis to develop careers improving health and care. Flexible, 2–5 years, all disciplines. Apply by 16th December www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/funding/nihr...
dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
NIHR Postdoctoral Award - DEMENTIA RESEARCHER
NIHR Postdoctoral Award funds researchers with a PhD or submitted thesis to develop careers improving health and care. Flexible, 2–5 years, all disciplines.
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Blanca Díaz Castro @bdiazcastro.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Happy to share the video Isabel Bravo-Ferrer and Katrine Gaasdal-Bech made to summarize the findings of our manuscript in Brain Communications (academic.oup.com/braincomms/a...) Age-dependent regional differences in features of the brain vasculature, including endfeet 💙! youtu.be/mwgh_H1mcLI?...
youtu.be
Blood-brain barrier phenotyping shows prefrontal cortex most vulnerable to ageing in mice
YouTube video by BRAIN Journals
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Axel Montagne @axelmontagne.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
✨ Preorders are OPEN ✨ My amazing wife just finished her very first children’s book, and I couldn’t be prouder 💛 📚 Preorder until Sept 7 📦 Shipped w/ tracking 🔗 www.etsy.com/shop/ElodieWho She’s poured her heart into this — every preorder, share, & boost means the world 🙌
etsy.com
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Nature Neuroscience @natneuro.nature.com · 31/07/2025
Astrocyte specification in the mouse septum is shaped by both developmental origin and local signals www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Astrocyte specification in the mouse septum is shaped by both developmental origin and local signals - Nature Neuroscience
The relative contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to astrocyte heterogeneity is unknown. Using heterotropic transplantation of septal astrocytes with distinct lineage origins, we show that ...
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Ciaran Murphy-Royal @murphyroyallab.org · 22/08/2025
🚨Another PI job opening in the Neuroscience dept. at @umontreal.ca ! 🚨 www.nature.com/naturecareer...
nature.com
Professor at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, in the field of neurocircuitry - Montréal, Quebec (CA) job with Université de Montréal | 12843808
Professor at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, in the field of neurocircuitry involved in the production of complex behaviors
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assafbreska.bsky.social @assafbreska.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
We’re hiring! 🥳fully funded PhD and postdoc positions in human cognitive neuroscience @mpicybernetics.bsky.social M/EEG and brain stimulation methods to study timing/ prediction/ attention/ oscillations tinyurl.com/5dku4du9 @timingresforum.bsky.social @gtc-tuebingen.bsky.social please repost 🙏
tinyurl.com
PhD and Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) in Human Cognitive Neuroscience of Dynamic Cognition – M/EEG, brain stimulation
Job Offer from August 11, 2025
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Krissy Lyon @krissylyon.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Cool astrocyte paper!
nature.com
Astrocyte specification in the mouse septum is shaped by both developmental origin and local signals - Nature Neuroscience
The relative contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to astrocyte heterogeneity is unknown. Using heterotropic transplantation of septal astrocytes with distinct lineage origins, we show that ...
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Black In Neuro @blackinneuro.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
#BINBoston is back! 🧠🎉 Join us Sat, Aug 2 from 2–5 PM for a community social with local scholars & professionals. All are welcome — students, faculty, & more! 📍Register for details: tinyurl.com/BINBoston2025 #BlackInNeuro #NeuroTwitter #Networking
Illustrated flyer with a dark brown background featuring a hand holding a stylized pink brain. Large text at the top reads:
 “08/02, 2–5pm Black In Neuro”. At the bottom, it says: “Boston Social. Location shared following registration”. A QR code appears in the bottom left corner with the text: “Register here!”
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Women in Neuroscience UK @womeninneurouk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
We’re celebrating trailblazers across 4 key domains of neuroscience. These awards spotlight researchers who’ve driven major advances in their field, shaped future directions & inspired others. 🧾Who inspires you in these fields? Nominate today! 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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EMBO @embo.org · 12/07/2025
EMBO Lab Leadership @embolableadership.bsky.social is #hiring a Finance Coordinator & Executive Assistant – Apply now: www.embolableadership.org/jobs/
embolableadership.org
jobs - EMBO Lab Leadership
EMBO Solutions is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to the advancement of life sciences and the support of scientists through the training of leadership and other professional and scientific…
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Rui Benedito @ruibenedito.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
The new Department of Functional Genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine is looking for scientists at any level. 👉 mpi-muenster.mpg.de/780013/profil
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UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 27/05/2025
We have a new part-time role open in our People & Culture team for a People Partner. Projects will include schools outreach and women's PhD mentoring. 📍 Nationwide / hybrid role 🗓️ Deadline: 6 June Find out more 👉 careers.ukdri.ac.uk/jobs/5922960...
careers.ukdri.ac.uk
People Partner - UK DRI
When you join the UK DRI, you'll be working with a vibrant and challenge led team of researchers, technical specialists and professional support.
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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
I'm excited to announce the opening of our new education laboratory! This purpose-built space is designed to inspire students by offering hands-on experiences with real-world scientific techniques. Our goal is to ignite curiosity and foster a love for science through interactive learning.
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#NeuroDegeneration preprints @prepub-neurodegen.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Single-nucleus multiomics in brains from Hispanic individuals reveal APOE-ε4-driven disruption of focal adhesion signaling in the presence of cerebrovascular pathology #NeuroDegeneration 🧪🧠 medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2025.…
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Marc Aurel Busche @marcaurelbusche.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Hiring! We're looking for a postdoc to join my lab at the @ukdri.ac.uk @ucl.ac.uk We’re investigating neuronal and circuit dysfunction in Alzheimer's, and developing innovative new treatments. Apply here👇 shorturl.at/LpCAq
shorturl.at
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
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Papouin Lab @ WashU @papouinlab.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Thought this would be a nice way to enter the bsky community👇Delighted for Katie (now in Chris Dulla's lab at Tufts). Thank you to our collaborators, to the reviewers and to Cagla Eroglu for the highlight! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Norepinephrine signals through astrocytes to modulate synapses
Locus ceruleus (LC)–derived norepinephrine (NE) drives network and behavioral adaptations to environmental saliencies by reconfiguring circuit functional connectivity, but the underlying synapse-level...
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Society for Neuroscience @sfn.org · 08/05/2025
SfN Awards and Prizes provide more than recognition—they create visibility for important work in neuroscience. 🚨 Nominations close Thursday, May 15. Submit yours today. 🔗 bit.ly/4iXFGLz #NeuroSky #AcademicChatter
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Roger Castells @rcastellsg.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Hi everyone! I’m a #NewPI just starting my lab and would love to hear your advice on lab management and building the lab culture. Any tips, lessons learned, or resources you’ve found helpful are very welcome! Feel free to reply, message me, or email me at rcastellsg(at)cnio.es thanks a lot!! 🤗
media.tenor.com
a cat is sitting in front of a laptop computer asking for advice
ALT: a cat is sitting in front of a laptop computer asking for advice
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Black In Neuro @blackinneuro.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
🎉BIN is turning 5️⃣—and going in-person for Black In Neuro Conference 2025 in Washington, DC 🧠✨ 🗓️ It's time to save the date: September 10-12, 2025 Let’s celebrate 5 years of community, connection, and Black excellence in neuroscience! More details to come soon!! 🤗
Save The Date graphic for the Black In Neuro Conference 2025. The top features a large group photo of diverse participants posing together in front of a "Black In Neuro" sign. Below the image is the Black In Neuro logo and bold orange text reads “BLACK IN NEURO CONFERENCE.” Event details follow: “Wednesday, Sept 10 - Friday, Sept 12, 2025, Washington, DC.” A note states: “A 2.5-day in-person event highlighting and celebrating Black neuroscientists globally.” Colorful geometric patterns frame the top and bottom of the design.
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Sally Lowell @cellysally.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
EDINBURGH AXOLOTLS! Super-excited to hear my wonderful colleague @aidarodrigo.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4 talking about the axototl colony she has established in our institute @edinuni-irr.bsky.social 😃 Available on BBC sounds: Aida's section starts at 23.37 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Inside Science - How vulnerable is our power supply? - BBC Sounds
Massive power cuts brought parts of Spain, Portugal and France to a standstill this week.
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Amanda Heidt @scattercushion.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
🧪Hello! are you a scientist who started your PhD in 2020 and are now wrapping up? I want to know how your life is and how you're feeling about your prospects in 2025 for a story in @nature.com. DM me or find me on Signal at aheidt.16. Tell yo friends! (Also seeking international sources.)
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Dementia Researcher @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Join the Schiavo Lab at @ukdri.ac.uk UCL as a Research Assistant to explore tau-driven Golgi fragmentation in neurons. Apply your imaging and cell biology skills. Closing date: 11th May www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/job/research...
dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
Research Assistant: Role of Tau in promoting Golgi fragmentation in Axons
Join the Schiavo Lab at UK DRI UCL as a Research Assistant to explore tau-driven Golgi fragmentation in neurons. Apply your imaging and cell biology skills.
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Amy Gleichman @amygleichman.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Thrilled to announce that my lab is now open at Ohio State! We study astrocytes as gene therapy targets for brain repair after ischemic stroke and in vascular dementia, developing new viral tools along the way. If you're interesting in joining or collaborating, please reach out! gleichmanlab.com
gleichmanlab.com
The Gleichman lab
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Tara Spires-Jones 🌈🔬 @tspiresjones.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Fantastic to see this work from @clairedurrant1.bsky.social group out in print! Important results using living human brain tissue to study Alzheimer’s disease www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Divergent actions of physiological and pathological amyloid-β on synapses in live human brain slice cultures - Nature Communications
Understanding synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease has been hampered by a lack of human model systems. Here, the authors show that manipulation of physiological or pathological Aβ has differing effects...
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Women in Neuroscience UK @womeninneurouk.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Why did WiNUK begin? 🤔💬 Hear from @lizzieenglish.bsky.social in her interview with @cambridgeuni.bsky.social as she reflects on her journey in science and how it led to the creation of Women in Neuroscience UK and how WiNUK became a global network in just 3 years 🧠💖 #WomenInSTEM #ScienceForAll
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Human Frontier Science Program @hfspo.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Got a radical idea that doesn’t fit the mold? #HFSP supports bold, high-risk postdoctoral research in #LifeSciences 🧪 Challenge the norm. Go international. Think beyond disciplines 💪 Apply now! 💥 Deadline May 15 | Initiate LOI by May 7 🔗zurl.co/gtbWu #sts
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Jonathan W. Gray @elmcitytree.blacksky.app · 24/04/2025
Finally updated my Blackademics starter pack, now including Katherine McKittrick, Imani Perry and others. Grad students and other scholars: follow the #Blackademics feed to participate in the conversation. Thanks as always to @rudyfraser.com for hosting us on Blacksky!!! go.bsky.app/SSc7tNL
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Maurizio De Pittà @mdepitta.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
The first @embo.org #Astrocyte #Meeting was a success! Thanks to our excellent speakers, brilliant trainees, & DiBio @unipd.bsky.social volunteers. Looking forward to the next iteration! Laura.Civiero Matthew.Holt Olga.Sin WonSuk.Chun Keith.Murai Valentin.Nagerl @carmenfalcone.bsky.social
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lizzieenglish.bsky.social @lizzieenglish.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
🚨 NEW PAPER: must-read for researchers, funders & institutions 🚨 👩‍🔬 >50% of female dementia researchers experience sexism in their careers. 🏫 5x more respondents found their institution NOT helpful than helpful in addressing this. ➡️ Learn more: alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Experiences and perceptions of sexism in dementia research careers: A global cross‐sectional survey
INTRODUCTION Sexism is prevalent in academia and is a crucial factor driving women out of the academic workforce. However, sexism in dementia research remains underexplored. This study aimed to unde.....
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NeuroTune @neurotune.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Do you want to explore the molecular secrets of how we adapt and learn? We are excited to announce the launch of the interdisciplinary Research Training Group NeuroTune. Applications for 10 PhD positions are now open! #NeuroTune #DFG #Neuroscience #PhDOpportunities
lw.uni-leipzig.de
Universität Leipzig: GRK Neurotune
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María A. Moro @mariangelesmoro.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Astrocytic cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes resilience by dampening stress-induced blood–brain barrier alterations - Nature Neuroscience
The mechanisms of neurovascular adaptations underlying stress resilience remain unclear. Here the authors show that the astrocytic endocannabinoid system modulates the blood–brain barrier changes duri...
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Isabel N Christie PhD @izzynchristie.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
I am #hiring an #MRI #physicist, please consider making an application. The job is based in #Sheffield, with extensive collaboration with #UCL. Opportunity to work at 7T & 9.4T, & undertake human imaging at 3T in parallel with the core preclinincal work. jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk
Research Associate in Multimodal Neuroimaging and Physiological Modelling
Research Associate in Multimodal Neuroimaging and Physiological Modelling
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Harry Pritchard @harry-pritchard.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
We have a @thebhf.bsky.social funded postdoc position to work on a novel treatment option to improve cerebral blood flow in a model of vascular dementia. Application deadline 14th April. @gjbrainresearch.bsky.social www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/internal/Job... Please RT
jobs.manchester.ac.uk
Research Associate in Improving Cerebral Blood Flow in Vascular Dementia:Oxford Road
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Aida Rodrigo @aidarodrigo.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
🚨 Heads-up: a little over a week to apply for this exciting postdoc opportunity in Edinburgh @edinuni-irr.bsky.social! 🚨 I will be in Liverpool for #biologists100. Happy to chat about the position, our research, setting up a lab, spiny mice, axolotls, and whatnot!
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Ciaran Murphy-Royal @murphyroyallab.org · 21/03/2025
Very happy to share several common protocols used in our lab for the second edition of the book "Astrocytes: Methods and Protocols" @lewisholt.bsky.social @astroantho.bsky.social Thanks @dibenedetto-lab.bsky.social for being a very patient editor! link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com
Astrocytes
This book gathers methods essential for investigating the multifaceted roles of astrocytes in both physiology and pathological conditions.
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Valentina Mosienko @dr-vmosienko.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
in support of all American researchers - science (and funding) does matter! www.fens.org/news-activit...
fens.org
Science Matters! Statement from FENS and Allies
FENS is raising the alarm over threats to scientific research in the USA. Together with our allies, we are calling for greater academic freedom and support for evidence-based knowledge.
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UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 17/03/2025
Excited to be attending @britishneuro.bsky.social (BNA) Festival of Neuroscience next month in Liverpool! 🧠 As part of the CURE-ND alliance, we're hosting a symposium, "S15: Harnessing synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics to tackle neurodegenerative disorders" Find out more👇
ukdri.ac.uk
BNA2025 Festival of Neuroscience
The BNA2025 Programme Organising Committee and the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) are hosting the 7th International Festival of Neuroscience, 27 - 30
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Nature Portfolio @natureportfolio.nature.com · 17/03/2025
You also can follow Nature Portfolio editors by using this starter pack!
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Nature Portfolio @natureportfolio.nature.com · 17/03/2025
A reminder that you can follow all of our journals with one click by using our starter pack!
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