iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Nothing brings a lab together like a 10L volumetric flask being used.

Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

We propose: Synapses don’t lift inhibition by physically removing SynGAP1. They do it by: • functionally inactivating existing SynGAP1 • halting its local production → Translational repression acts as a “plasticity gate” controlling when synapses can strengthen. 6/7

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Proud son moment, my badass mom is giving a commencement speech at the Auburn Vet school.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Reached the “am I crazy or is it just sassy comment time” phase of the manuscript writing process.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

There is no Benny, only Zuul.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Fluorescence Friday- DIV21 hippocampal neurons imaged with 10x expansion microscopy. Magenta- Bassoon Cyan- PSD95

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Spending the first day of 2026 putting the finishing touches on this work. A few more layers of teal dendrites and axons left to go.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

He’s trying to summit the Christmas tree before midnight.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Ongoing holiday break art project. The dendrite and axon induced hand cramping is real.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Christmas Eve tree naps are likely a new tradition.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Winter break art project- full size image will be 36”x36” for my office. Layers upon layers of white dendrites and axons yet to come until little grey remains.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

I really wish I could figure out why the lower branches of my new Christmas tree are so deformed. A mystery beyond any sort of comprehension, really.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Donlin-Asp lab holiday dinner 2025 edition.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

5 minutes getting neutered, 2 hours trying to remove the cone of shame, 1 flipped food bowl, and 2 water fountains turned into feline water parks = one high happy kitten.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Ever wanted to smell like a nmdar activation?

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Must be a blissful existence when your only expectations are: be cute and cause chaos.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons MAP2 (cyan, ab5392 abcam) panSynGAP1a1/a2/y orange, 157003 SYSY) 5 min -20 methanol fixation

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons MAP2 (cyan, ab5392 abcam) SynGAP1b (orange, F1D4L CST) 5 min -20 methanol fixation

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons MAP2 (cyan, ab5392 abcam) SynGAP1a2 (orange, E4Y6I CST) 5 min -20 methanol fixation

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons MAP2 (cyan, ab5392 abcam) SynGAP1a1 (orange, F8I5Q CST) 5 min -20 methanol fixation

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I need to invest in a birdseed subscription service.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Family bonding time in front of the telly.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Trigger warning: a cotton ball growling is a terrifying thing.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Late summer in the burbs of Chicago has its charms.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

*Walking around thinking about turning 40 in a few years* The universe:

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Horrid awful morning in Central Park

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

On Wednesday I had to say goodbye to my loving George after 13 years. He was sweet, needy, dumb as a rock, and an all around amazing loaf of orange fur. I’m going to miss this bestest dude.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons grown on filters (3um pore size) to enrich for dendrites and axons away from cell bodies. Magenta- DAPI. Cyan- MAP2. Orange- PSD95.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

My 13 year old chonkmonster has discovered gabapentin makes his 1 year old sister remarkably more tolerable.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Saturday morning Arthur’s Seat views.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

My shadow undersecretary while I’m reading a pile of grant proposals. Her devotion is due to payment in the form of laser pointer chase time each time I read a proposal.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Enjoy the imported, tariff free, Scottish weather- San Diegoburgh.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Sunshine in Holyrood park vibes.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

DIV20 hippocampal neuron Cyan- myr mScarlet3 Orange- GFP-SynGAP1

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Spent the day in my happy place.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Hard to imagine a more beautiful city to live in during my PI adventure.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Thinking of entering a kitten bowling league.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Thanks to @brennan-lab-ucd.bsky.social for hosting me at UCD. It’s been a fabulous visit to Dublin to chat science and soak up the Irish sun.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Green- neuron White- mRNA Black- RNA binding proteins Grey- ribosomes Orange- newly synthesized proteins Pink- plasticity Blue/purple- whimsy

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

DIV21 hippocampal neurons. Grey-DAPI Cyan- MAP2 Magenta- Beta actin Orange- vGLUT1

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Fluorescence Friday double feature: DIV21 hippocampal neurons. Grey-DAPI Cyan- MAP2 Magenta- Beta actin Orange- vGAT

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Testing some new antibodies today lead to a bit of a reprieve from the maddening state of the world. DIV21 hippocampal neurons. Grey-DAPI Cyan- MAP2 Magenta- Beta actin Orange- PSD95

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Still in progress.. but having fun with animating the research in my lab.

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Paul Donlin-Asp @pdaphd.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

My iPad drawings were starting to feel a little stale… so now dabbling with animations. I really need full time supervision.

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