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Rachel Bedford, PhD

@rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social
571 followers 272 following 24 posts

Neuroscientist and story teller. Science Communication Manager at BD² Breakthrough Discoveries. Helping all people with bipolar discoveries thrive ✨🧠

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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
@bipolardiscoveries.org has an open RFA offering up to $1.25M per year for teams investigating the biological mechanisms of bipolar disorder. #neuroskyence Have questions? Join the informational webinar THIS Wednesday, October 7th, at 2pm ET. Register here: forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Respon...
Promotional graphic for the BD² Discovery Research RFA Webinar on October 7 at 2:00pm ET, with a "Register Now" button. It features headshots of the two speakers: Daniel Pham, PhD, Head of Science and Innovation, and Kelsey Barcomb, PhD, Program Manager, Discovery Research.
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BD² @bipolardiscoveries.org · 22/09/2026
💈💈BD² is awarding more than $13M in grants to 3 new Discovery Research teams studying the biology of mood state switching in #BipolarDisorder. The teams are led by @drlaramieduncan.bsky.social, PhD, Susan Dymecki, MD, PhD, & Akira Sawa, MD, PhD. 🔗 bit.ly/4rrCblZ #BipolarDisorder #Neuroskyence
Graphic with a blue textured side panel on the left reading "BD² Awards Over $13 Million in Grants to Understand the Mechanisms of Mood State Switching in Bipolar Disorder." Beneath the title, the institutions Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University are listed. On the right, 11 principal investigators' headshots are pictured. The BD² logo is in the bottom lefthand corner.
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Emre Yaksi @emreyaksi.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🧠 A new paper from our lab is out! In this study, we explore how dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) circuits modulate forebrain activity and behavior. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Topographically organized dorsal raphe activity modulates forebrain sensory-motor representations and contributes to defensive behaviors - Nature Communications
Functional heterogeneity of dorsal raphe nucleus is not fully understood. Here authors show topographically organized sensory and locomotor responses from the zebrafish dorsal raphe and its forebrain ...
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Mohammed Khallaf @khallaf.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Our new paper is out in @nature.com! We uncovered how a naked mole-rat queen 👑 controls an entire colony: a natural contraceptive scent that suppresses reproduction in other females! A remarkable mammalian parallel to bees and ants! 🐝🐜 @garyrlewin.bsky.social youtu.be/enfv3zJrWKM?...
youtu.be
Naked mole-rats are ruled by a queen: this chemical puts her in power
YouTube video by nature video
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Austin Seroka @austinseroka1.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We're excited to present a single-cell atlas of vertebrate cranial motor neuron development, the first story from my postdoctoral work in the Moens lab, up now on bioRxiv!
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Scripps Institution of Oceanography @scrippsocean.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
🔬 ✍🏽 #NowHiring: We're looking for a skilled science writer who will be tasked with translating discoveries from the Scripps Oceanography research community into compelling stories. Head to the link below to learn more, and apply by 7/7. ⤵️ bit.ly/3R0WDwf
Scripps Pier with "Join Our Team" text overlay
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Tessa Montague @tessamontague.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Excited to share a new review by @kocherlab.bsky.social and me: Nature-inspired neuroscience We discuss diverse sensory systems and behaviors across the animal kingdom and argue for their integration into neuroscience. New tools in diverse systems are making this possible ✨ tinyurl.com/y5y9du27
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allen institute @alleninstitute.org · 01/04/2026
The Orange Cat Brain Atlas is here. 🧠🐈 Today, we published the first comprehensive cellular map of the orange cat brain. The new atlas reveals a single, specialized neuron responsible for behaviors like staring at walls, knocking objects off tables, and the 3am "zoomies."
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John Tuthill @tuthill.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
🧵 New preprint led by @bingbrunton.bsky.social, @elliottabe.bsky.social, @lawrencehu.bsky.social We gave a worm brain control of a fly body and it walked What did we learn? Nothing, other than deep reinforcement learning is effective We call it the digital sphinx www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Claire Bedbrook @clairebedbrook.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Aging may feel gradual… but what if it’s not? In our recent paper, we tracked fish continuously from puberty until death. This gave us a unique view of how aging unfolds across the adult lifespan. 🧵
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Emily Troyer @fishfetisher.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Out now in Science: The Truman Show, but with killifishes! "Continuous recording of a vertebrate’s adult life from adolescence until death would provide a complete view into the behavioral architecture of aging." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Lifelong behavioral screen reveals an architecture of vertebrate aging
Mapping behavior of individual vertebrate animals across lifespan could provide an unprecedented view into the lifelong process of aging. We created a platform for high-resolution continuous behaviora...
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Benjamin Judkewitz @benjulab.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
First whole-brain recording of social sound processing in a vertebrate. Surprises start in the hindbrain; thalamus gates conspecific calls; male and female brains diverge downstream. Work by @joerghenninger.bsky.social, @mh123.bsky.social sky.social and team. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Calin Plesa @calin.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
New lab preprint: if ML struggles with extrapolation, let's expand the diversity of training data with gene synth, DNA shuffling, and ML gen.... also lots of #FluorescentProteins #ProteinEngineering #MachineLearning #SyntheticBiology 1/n
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Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! #2026MMM (With a hat-tip to the Dropkick Murphys) The season's upon us, it's that time of year! Science & carnage, there's battles to cheer, there's twists to these plots and there's stings to be stung, there's research to do and plenty of fun!
media.tenor.com
a man wearing a feathered hat says " hear ye hear ye "
Alt: Stephen Colbert rings a bell wearing a large feathered tricorn hat shouting "Hear Ye! Hear Ye!"
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Marija Kundakovic @kundakoviclab.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Extremely excited & proud to share our new preprint - we provide for the first time a single cell map of the mouse brain across sex, the estrous cycle, and peripartum! Data are 🔥 👇 "Single-cell map of the female brain across reproductive transitions" www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Current Biology @currentbiology.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!🎄✨
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John Tuthill @tuthill.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
How do neural circuits generate the walking rhythm? Using connectome simulations, @sarahpugly.bsky.social found a minimal central pattern generator (CPG) that produces oscillations in leg motor neurons. Same circuit motif for each 🪰 leg. w @bingbrunton.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 19/06/2025
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
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plasmidsaurus @plasmidsaurus.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
🦖 Something HUGE just hatched. Plasmidsaurus now offers RNA sequencing for gene expression analysis: • As fast as 3 day turnaround • $50/sample for academia, $80 for industry • Up to ~10M unique transcript 3’ end reads per sample • Interactive results Explore Plasmidsaurus RNA-Seq today.
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 09/10/2025
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Come do neuroscience in Oregon! 🌲🧠 @uoregon.bsky.social University of Oregon has 3 TTF neuro positions open across departments, with applications due around mid-October. #UOResearch #Neuroskyence #academicsky
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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
The BioE department at the @uoknightcampus.bsky.social is hiring 2 complementary TTF neuroengineering positions! We're looking for someone with expertise in experimental & translational neuroengineering and someone else with expertise in computational & data-science neuroengineering. #neurosky
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Adam C. Miller, University of Oregon @drzebrafish.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
The University of Oregon is searching for an Assistant Professor with a focus on Developmental Neuroscience. We are excited to have you come join us - apply! Application information can be found at: careers.uoregon.edu/cw/en-us/job...
careers.uoregon.edu
Current Opportunities | UO HR Website
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Braasch Lab @ Michigan State University @fishevodevogeno.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
The Braasch Lab @fishevodevogeno.bsky.social will soon post a position to replace manager of our *Ancient Fish Facility* at Michigan State. Looking for aquaculturist excited for unusual 🐟 species (gar, bowfin, paddlefish, polypterus) + zebrafish. Pls send candidates our way (DM or braasch@msu.edu)!
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The Knight Campus at the University of Oregon @uoknightcampus.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
If you are at #2025ASEE and are interested in learning more about career opportunities at the Knight Campus Department of Bioengineering, including an open position for a Curriculum Development Director/Lecturer position mentoring students and building strong academic programs, connect with us!
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The Knight Campus at the University of Oregon @uoknightcampus.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
We're hiring a Curriculum Development Director who's passionate about mentoring students and building strong academic programs! You can learn more about this position, and other openings here: knightcampus.uoregon.edu/faculty-recr...
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The Knight Campus at the University of Oregon @uoknightcampus.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
We are very excited to welcome Dr. Sara Keller (@sarabkeller.bsky.social) and Dr. David Peeler (@djpeeler.bsky.social) to the Department of Bioengineering. Both will launch their labs in early 2026.
headshots of Dr. Sara Keller and Dr. David Peeler
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Katherine W. Rogers @katwrog.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Happy to share a new preprint from my lab! We characterize the on/off kinetics, light dosage-dependence, and more for a suite of optogenetic signaling activators in zebrafish embryos 💡 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
An optogenetic toolkit for robust activation of FGF, BMP, and Nodal signaling in zebrafish
Cell signaling regulates a wide range of biological processes including development, homeostasis, and disease. Accessible technologies to precisely manipulate signaling have important applications in ...
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
As a recipient of federal grants from #NIH (for now! 😭) that funds research in my lab, I'd like to sincerely thank American taxpayers on #TaxDay for investing in scientific research that lays the foundation for medical and technological innovation in this country and keeps us all safe and healthy
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David Peeler @djpeeler.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
I'm thrilled to announce that I'm launching the Biomaterial Research for Immunomodulation, Drug delivery, and Genetic Engineering (BRIDGE) lab in January 2026 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Oregon! @uoknightcampus.bsky.social
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Even physical activity on weekends only (Weekend warrior, WW) linked with a significant favorable impact of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality MVPA-moderate to vigorous physical activity from UK Biobank, >90,000 participants www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/...
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SynPlexity @synplexity.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
We unlock breakthrough insights by delivering the best training sets in biology—at unprecedented scale. youtu.be/KuCaJTPHM2o
youtu.be
Save 90% on DNA variant libraries today
YouTube video by IndieBio
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The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Computational and systems neuroscience needs new ideas from other areas, in particular developmental biology, writes @bbscott.bsky.social @cosynemeeting.bsky.social #neuroskyence www.thetransmitter.org/systems-neur...
thetransmitter.org
Computational and systems neuroscience needs development
Embracing recent advances in developmental biology can drive a new wave of innovation.
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Keith @keithdunn.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
After multiple failed attempts, the conch was blown at 10:37. The 2025 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour. #BM100.
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Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The #scicomm group COMPASS is offering a free communication workshop on April 2 for current or former government workers - federal, state, and local levels www.compassscicomm.org/event/sharin...
compassscicomm.org
Sharing Impact & Value: Strategic Communication for Government Workers | COMPASS
Strategically and clearly communicate the importance of your work to relevant audiences, without partisanship. Government workers at all levels — local, state, and federal — provide important and nece...
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Anne Martin @eannemartin.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
#standupforscience2025 #swimupforscience2025 #scienceforall #sciencenotsilence
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Nicole Rust @nicolecrust.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Terrific how-to on communicating the value of basic research to the public in @thetransmitter.bsky.social by @tonyzador.bsky.social. You may be curious. But when you are communicating the value of what you do, it’s not about you. Point to discoveries. www.thetransmitter.org/outreach/how...
thetransmitter.org
How to communicate the value of curiosity-driven research
The burden of proof is on us, as researchers, to explain why what we do is valuable to society.
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Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 04/03/2025
On Friday, we Stand Up for Science in locations Nationwide (& internationally!) to support science as a public good that benefits everyone. Join us! Visit www.standupforscience2025.org for more information & other ways to get involved ☀️
navy blue background with white text that says "3 days until we stand up for science"
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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
HAPPY MARCH MAMMAL MADNESS SZN TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE!!!! 🐂🐏🐼🐁🐯
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CantlonLab @cantlonlab.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Join us! Science Homecoming helps scientists reconnect with communities by writing about the importance of science funding in their hometown newspapers. We’ve mapped every small newspaper in the U.S. and provide resources to get you started. Help science get back home 🧪🔬🧬 🏠 sciencehomecoming.com
sciencehomecoming.com
Science Homecoming
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Alliance of Genome Resources @alliancegenome.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
New ZFIN paper: ZFIN Updates to Support Zebrafish Environmental Exposure Data academic.oup.com/genetics/art... @zfinmod.bsky.social @genetics-gsa.bsky.social
academic.oup.com
ZFIN Updates to Support Zebrafish Environmental Exposure Data
Abstract. The Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN, zfin.org) is the database resource for genetic, genomic, and phenotypic data from research using zebrafi
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Leila Okahata @leilaokahata.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Of all the stories I've written, this might be the cutest. 🍄 🐶 Follow two sibling scientists and their good boy Rye as they uncover Oregon’s hidden truffle diversity. Thanks to their pet's special nose, researchers are tracking truffles for science and conservation: news.uoregon.edu/sibling-scie...
Researcher Heather Dawson brings a truffle to her nose while her dog Rye looks up at her with a panting smile.
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John Wallingford @jbwallingford.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Birth defects are the #1 cause of death in the first year of life (🧵). Birth defects kill more than twice as many children as cancer. Birth defects are diseases of developmental biology. Here are CDC statistics for 2021. 1/5 wisqars.cdc.gov/pdfs/leading...
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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Come join us! Apply here: careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/53...
careers.uoregon.edu
Knight Campus Biological Shared Facilities Engineer
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Calin Plesa @calin.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
New preprint! We carried out the largest complementation and inhibition study for diverse homologs in a single protein family (DHFR) to date. Highlights thread follows... 1/n 🧵
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Alex Wild @alexwild.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Post the amazing science things you have done with federal funding.
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Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD @caitvw.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
“What can I do to break into science communications?” I get asked this question almost weekly by PhDs who reach out for career chats about #AltAc jobs. They want to know, “What can I do to stand out? What do you look for?” 🧵
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Ran Blekhman @blekhman.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Today we report a new compendium of human gut microbiomes with >168,000 samples By analyzing this massive dataset, we discovered distinct microbiome patterns across the globe, and show we can predict where a person lives just from their gut bacteria Now out in Cell: www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
cell.com
Integration of 168,000 samples reveals global patterns of the human gut microbiome
The Human Microbiome Compendium is a unified database of publicly available human gut microbiome 16S samples, built with the integrated data from hundreds of independent projects. The compendium is us...
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Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi @nathaliejuya.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Have you ever wondered what role motile #cilia and cerebrospinal fluid (#CSF) play in brain development and physiology? If yes, please check out our latest article now published in Cell Reports and spearheaded by the newly minted Dr D'Gama www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Motile cilia modulate neuronal and astroglial activity in the zebrafish larval brain
The brain uses a specialized system to transport cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), consisting of interconnected ventricles lined by motile ciliated ependymal…
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Rachel Bedford, PhD @rachelbedfordphd.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
I’m excited to share that I’ve accepted a new position as a Research Associate for Science Communication at the @uoknightcampus.bsky.social! In this role, I’ll be developing strategic science communication plans & help scientists effectively share the impact of their work in a variety of ways. 🔬 🧬 🦴
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