Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 18/05/2026This over half-a-million investment in my lab means we can continue our search for ways to tackle BK virus and the diseases it causes. We aim to improve the lives of transplant recipients suffering with BK virus and to address its role in bladder cancer initiation. 010
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 18/05/2026We see #bladdercancer as a potential long-term consequence of poorly-controlled BK virus infections but transplant recipients also suffer from acute damage to their kidneys (“BK virus associated nephropathy”) and lower urinary tracts (“ureteric strictures” and “haemorrhagic cystitis”). 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 18/05/2026This senior fellowship will build on the work of my intermediate fellowship where we associated BK virus infections with the APOBEC mutations that initiate bladder cancers (see our recent Science Advances paper for details - www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...).science.orgVirus-induced APOBEC3 transmutagenesis in bladder cancer initiationA model for hit-and-run viral carcinogenesis in the bladder. 100
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 18/05/2026I’m happy to announce that I have been awarded a five-year senior fellowship jointly funded by two amazing charities: @kidneyresearchuk.org and @yorkagainstcancer.bsky.social. This new fellowship also comes with a permanent academic job @biologyatyork.bsky.social and @ybri-uoy.bsky.social. 163
Reposted by Simon BakerInigo Martincorena @imartincorena.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Somatic genomics as a discovery engine for biomedicine - a Perspective in Cell www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...sciencedirect.comSomatic genomics as a discovery engine for biomedicineSomatic mutations, or genetic changes occurring in cells after conception, are widespread in healthy tissues but are conventionally viewed as signs of… 0133
Reposted by Simon BakerOpen Research at York @uoyopenres.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Researchers at the Jack Birch Unit @biologyatyork.bsky.social @ybri-uoy.bsky.social revealed how direct communication between cells can help maintain healthy tissue, potentially paving the way for new bladder cancer treatments 🔬 Open access paper in Life Science Alliance doi.org/10.26508/lsa... 🔓 📄york.ac.ukCells that communicate may help hinder bladder cancer from spreadingResearchers at University of York’s Jack Birch Unit have revealed how direct communication between cells can help maintain healthy human tissue - potentially paving the way for new treatments for blad... 073
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Pleased to see Jenny’s first author work on Connexin communication in the urothelium published. It’s a great story. 050
Reposted by Simon BakerKidney Research UK @kidneyresearchuk.org · 04/02/2026For World Cancer Day, we're shining a spotlight on Dr Simon Baker and his team at the University of York, and their research into BK virus and bladder cancer. Read more the research here: bit.ly/4pjXEvrbit.lyNew results suggest that bladder cancer could be caused by the body’s response to common childhood virus - Kidney Research UKNew data from Dr Simon Baker suggests BK virus can drive bladder cancer development, which kidney transplant recipients are at more risk of. 083
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 24/01/2026Sounds interesting. Shame it’s not open access. 100
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 07/01/2026The relevant recent paper 🔬🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... Our work is supported by @kidneyresearchuk.org and @yorkagainstcancer.bsky.social, and is hosted by the @biologyatyork.bsky.social and @ybri-uoy.bsky.social.science.orgVirus-induced APOBEC3 transmutagenesis in bladder cancer initiationA model for hit-and-run viral carcinogenesis in the bladder. 070
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 07/01/2026I chatted with @philiprlang.bsky.social on his podcast about how a virus might be involved in bladder cancer. Since "Phil Lang is Not a Scientist", we made this really accessible. If you're interested in how small sneaky DNA viruses might contribute to the origins of cancers, give it a listen.creators.spotify.comEpisode 13 - Simon Baker by Phil Lang is Not a ScientistIn this podcast I speak to Simon about his important research into the causes of bladder cancer, as well as his life and career.Story from Kidney Research UK about Simon's important breakthrough: http... 185
Reposted by Simon BakerAlex Reid @alexanderreid.bsky.social · 09/12/2025I had a lovely chat with Phil Lang on his podcast "Phil Lang is Not a Scientist" where I talk a lot about dreams and sleep! Phil interviews researchers from across the University of York about their work in all sorts of fascinating areas. (creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...).creators.spotify.comEpisode 6 - Alex Reid by Phil Lang is Not a ScientistIt was great to talk to Psychology academic Alex Reid today about his work at York.Alex's profile: https://www.york.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academicstaff/amr507/Here's a link to Alex's last paper on sl... 042
Reposted by Simon BakerLiz (TheLongCovidNurse) @thelongcovidnurse.bsky.social · 06/12/2025Another virus which causes ‘just a cold’ or ‘cold like symptoms’ is actually causing cancer. Tip of the iceberg? 031
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025This work was hosted @biologyatyork.bsky.social, @ybri-uoy.bsky.social and @yorkbioscience.bsky.social. With collaborators at @universityofleeds.bsky.social, @lthtresearchcomms.bsky.social, @leedsth.nhs.uk, University of Texas at San Antonio and the National Cancer Institute at Bethesda. 061
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025The fantastic authors on Bluesky are @sallyjamesyork.bsky.social, @asmasonomics.bsky.social, @karen-hogg.bsky.social, @imartincorena.bsky.social, @starrett.bsky.social 130
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025With thanks to our funders @kidneyresearchuk.org and @yorkagainstcancer.bsky.social for supporting #bladdercancer research which is so often neglected. #cancer #cancerresearch #APOBEC 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025These findings suggest a model of bladder carcinogenesis where the urothelial response to BK virus infections drives the initiating APOBEC mutations, but the virus is not required in the arising tumour. 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025"Transmutagenesis" describes the observation of bystander cells that were negative for viral proteins and proximal to infected neighbours acquiring APOBEC3A mediated potentially cancer initiating mutations. 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Chronic (>21 day) BK virus infections of normal human urothelium led to robust inductions of APOBEC3 mutational signatures. APOBEC3A was induced by bystander cells (negative for viral proteins) and in association with apical extrusion of infected cells by interferon signalling. 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Our evidence suggests there could be a route to bladder cancer prevention by stopping/controlling the reactivation of persistent BK virus infections. 110
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 04/12/2025What causes bladder cancer initiating mutations? Our paper in Science Advances asks the question: can BK virus infections of normal urothelium lead to the APOBEC3 mutational signatures found in bladder cancers? We found that they can!science.orgVirus-induced APOBEC3 transmutagenesis in bladder cancer initiationA model for hit-and-run viral carcinogenesis in the bladder. 1167
Reposted by Simon BakerKelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 27/11/2025Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s. This is the power of vaccines. The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer. Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!www1.racgp.org.aunewsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer eliminationVaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target. 4448151834
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 11/11/2025Are you a kidney transplant recipient who would like to learn more about post-transplant viral infections? Join @kidneyresearchuk.org funded researchers to hear updates on their research. This online seminar will take place 1-2pm on Friday 28th November 2025, register for free below.kidneyresearchuk.orgResearch webinar - Kidney Research UKA webinar to hear directly from Kidney Research UK funded researchers as they share the latest updates on projects tackling BK virus and cytomegalovirus. 000
Reposted by Simon BakerClive McKimmie @clive-mckimmie.bsky.social · 31/10/2025New PhD opportunity! Can skin inflammation protect us from mosquito-borne viruses like Zika? Join our MRC PhD project at York exploring how psoriasis and eczema change skin immunity to virus. Our grads thrive in academia, biotech & beyond. Apply now 👉 tinyurl.com/bfmd2rf4 053
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 16/10/2025I'm really excited to be teaching about mutational signatures and viral aetiologies in #bladdercancer at the "Course on Urothelial Malignancies" in Paris 14-16 January 2026. There are so many great speakers, I'm sure I'll learn lots. Hope to see you there! Contact: c.uro2026@curie.fr 000
Reposted by Simon BakerJohn E Milad @johnemilad.bsky.social · 11/10/2025“Rare” kidney diseases leave a deep and widespread impact. 160,000+ people in the UK are affected — driving 25% of dialysis demand and costing the NHS £263m a year. As a @kidneyresearchuk.org Trustee, I’m calling for faster diagnosis and fairer access to care. 🔗 bit.ly/47Wdp5Z #KidneyHealthkidneyresearchuk.orgCollectively common, rare kidney disease report - Kidney Research UKA report about the impact of rare kidney diseases in the UK including diagnosis delays and waits for new treatments. 064
Reposted by Simon BakerClive McKimmie @clive-mckimmie.bsky.social · 01/10/2025We all know vaccines target the pathogen, but can you also target the vector? 📢 in a new paper out today in Vaccines, we show that a vaccine targeting mosquito salivary peptides, AGSv-PLUS, enhances human skin immune response to biting. Open access: www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13... 1/6 296
Reposted by Simon BakerLori O'Brien @llobrienlab.bsky.social · 26/09/2025For this #FluorescenceFriday, a gorgeous image of an adult mouse kidney labeled with AQP2 and alpha SMA antibodies. AQP2 (green) marks the collecting duct and distal connecting segment while SMA marks the arterial tree. Courtesy of talented postdoc Sarah McLarnon. 511632
Reposted by Simon BakerWen Ding @wyd20.bsky.social · 25/09/2025Having a fantastic time listening to all the progress in kidney research in the UK @kidneyresearchuk.org driving discoveries. Fantastic talk @willkidney.bsky.social about how large well designed trials have changed our practice in nephrology 052
Reposted by Simon BakerQUOD Biobank @quod-biobank.bsky.social · 24/09/2025QUOD's National Operational Coordinator, Sarah Cross, is at the Kidney Research UK #DrivingDiscoveries conference today in Bristol and is ready to talk to you about how the QUOD biobank can support your kidney research. Come and say hello! 👋 @nhsbt.bsky.social @ndsurgicalsci.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk 022
Reposted by Simon BakerThe Francis Crick Institute @crick.ac.uk · 04/09/2025Congratulations to @gregfindlay.bsky.social on being awarded a €1.5 million Starting Grant from the @erc.europa.eu to take a closer look at possible disease variants hiding in the dark genome. www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-09...crick.ac.uk€1.5 million to uncover disease risk hiding in non-coding DNAGreg Findlay, Group Leader of the Genome Function Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, has been awarded a Starting Grant from the European Research Council for €1.5 million to take a deep dive i... 2326
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 03/09/2025The Leeds Transplant teams are amazing humans. Great to see this celebration. 010
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 08/08/2025If you're a kidney transplant recipient who has been diagnosed with BK virus infection, please consider reading our evidence-based patient information leaflet that was co-developed alongside BK nephropathy patients. We hope it helps and welcome any feedback to develop it. www.kidney.org.uk/bk-viruskidney.org.ukBK VirusWhat is BK Virus? BK virus is an infection almost everyone gets during childhood. The symptoms are like a mild cold, so most people don't notice when they catch it. After infection, the virus hides in... 031
Reposted by Simon BakerDaniel Hurdiss @danielhurdiss.bsky.social · 19/07/2025"A highly potent human antibody neutralizing all serotypes of BK polyomavirus" journals.plos.org/plospathogen...journals.plos.orgA highly potent human antibody neutralizing all serotypes of BK polyomavirusAuthor summary BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a common virus that infects most people during childhood and typically remains dormant in the kidneys without causing harm. However, in kidney transplant pati... 194
Reposted by Simon BakerAndrew Holding @andrewholding.bsky.social · 24/04/2025YBRI (@ybri-uoy.bsky.social) are hosting @alanawelm.bsky.social for an online seminar on 9th May 2pm BST. Prof Welm will be presenting her work on "Modeling metastatic breast cancer to advance therapeutic strategies". Please share, and register to join at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ybri-onlin...eventbrite.co.ukYBRI Online Biomedical Sciences Seminar 2025Join our online biomedical sciences seminar open to UG, PG students, postdocs, ECRs and Group Leaders! 043
Reposted by Simon BakerCancer Research UK @cancerresearchuk.org · 24/04/2025🚨 Breaking News: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has passed its Second Reading in @ukhouseoflords.bsky.social! 🚨 This marks another hugely important step towards ending cancers caused by smoking. Please share to show your support for a #SmokefreeUK 🔁 0257
Reposted by Simon BakerKidney Research UK @kidneyresearchuk.org · 23/04/2025We’re #hiring! It’s an exciting time as we expand and create brand new roles within our passionate charity, committed to changing lives for people with kidney disease. Take a look and share with your network. Find out more and apply here: bit.ly/3umf9kS #Recruitment #CharityJobs 022
Reposted by Simon BakerJeffrey Townsend @jeffreytownsend.bsky.social · 23/03/2025APOBEC drives genetic variation in lung tumors, especially in response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy 🧪. Inhibition of APOBEC during use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors could improve outcomes. In a paper just out in Lung Cancer, we show how much. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...sciencedirect.comPrecision projections of the delay of resistance mutations in non-small cell lung cancer via suppression of APOBECGenomic instability driven by stress-response-dependent mutagenesis is a key factor in cancer progression. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, a common… 2196
Reposted by Simon BakerAction Bladder Cancer UK @abcuk.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Excited for the AJ Bell Great North Run 2025? There’s still time to join Team Action Bladder Cancer UK and run for a great cause! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. 🏅 events@actionbladdercanceruk.org #GreatNorthRun #BladderCancer #Fundraising 021
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Sorry to hear this Gabe. Hope she finds something soon. Best wishes to you all. 000
Reposted by Simon BakerGabe Starrett @starrett.bsky.social · 09/03/2025If anyone is looking for a lab technician/manager with nucleic acid isolation, library prep, and sequencing analysis experience preferably in the DMV, my former biologist is looking for a job. She was unfortunately terminated in Feb as part of the probationary employee firings. DM me for her info 39392160
Reposted by Simon BakerKidney Research UK @kidneyresearchuk.org · 10/03/2025Did you know that blood in your urine or needing to urinate frequently are symptoms of kidney disease? This #WorldKidneyDay, let’s help more people spot the early warning signs with our ‘Take a wee look’ campaign. What do the colours mean? Find out more: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/2025/02/21/b... 042
Reposted by Simon Bakeruofytechs.bsky.social @uofytechs.bsky.social · 05/03/2025#job 🚨for a laboratory technician in the Wright group within dept. Biology/HYMS and @ybri-uoy.bsky.social to work on creating genome-scale arrays of human cell surface receptors to discover new host-pathogen interactions. Apply by 20/3/2025: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/labo...jobs.york.ac.ukJobs - The University of York 065
Reposted by Simon BakerNath Jones @drnathjones.bsky.social · 04/03/2025New preprint: results from a collaborative project funded by the GCRF Global Network for NTDs investigating Leishmania deubiquitinase 16 as a potential drug target. @ybri-uoy.bsky.social @mottramlab.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...biorxiv.orgStructure and Activity of the Essential UCH Family Deubiquitinase DUB16 from Leishmania donovaniIn Leishmania parasites, as for their hosts, the ubiquitin proteasome system is important for cell viability. As part of a systematic gene deletion study, it was discovered that four cysteine protease... 032
Reposted by Simon BakerJulie Talbot @julietalbot.bsky.social · 07/03/2025As scientists we are often exposed to upsetting findings and we should not have to bury the feelings that our research elicit - I'm glad it's adressed openly here (and yes these results are bleak)cbc.caScientists brought to tears by huge loss of U.S. butterflies | CBC NewsScientists calculated just how much U.S. butterfly populations have declined in the past 20 years. The results brought some scientists to tears, and have them warning about dire implications for other... 03619
Reposted by Simon BakerHenry Scowcroft @oh-henry.bsky.social · 05/03/2025I've written a big feature piece for @cancerresearchuk.org's News site, about a cutting-edge new brain tumour trial they're supporting. It's aimed at the researcher community so a bit techier than usual, but was great fun pulling together. news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/04/a...news.cancerresearchuk.orgAccelerating the search for new glioblastoma treatments - Cancer Research UK - Cancer NewsHenry Scowcroft looks at a pioneering new clinical platform trial set to offer more options to UK glioblastoma patients and kick-start progress 031
Reposted by Simon BakerPatrick Hickey, MD @pwhickey.bsky.social · 28/02/2025The HPV vaccine is an anti-cancer vaccine 06914
Reposted by Simon BakerThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 28/02/2025The Trump administration terminates funding for polio, HIV, malaria and nutrition programs around the world. “People will die,” said Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi of the African Population and Health Research Center, “but we will never know, because even the programs to count the dead are cut.”nytimes.comU.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the WorldHere are some of the 5,800 contracts the Trump administration formally canceled this week in a wave of terse emails. 26735171968
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Disturbing to see another rise in recreational ketamine use in the UK. We did some of the early work showing how ketamine kills the cells that line our bladders: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... It's sad to think of all the pain and lifelong consequences for young people caused by ketamine.bbc.co.ukGeneration K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young peopleIncreasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic. 010
Simon Baker @drsimonbaker.bsky.social · 06/02/2025The "Nous-209" vaccine for people with Lynch syndrome includes some 209 neoantigens. Including neoantigens on this scale in a single vaccine gives some hope for a vaccine that could offer protection against bladder cancer despite its extreme genomic heterogeneity. 010