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shawnferguson.bsky.social

@shawnferguson.bsky.social
1.2K followers 476 following 117 posts

Cell Biologist and Neuroscientist at Yale University. Outdoor explorer.

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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Loon visited this morning
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
New to me. Painted trillium. Colton, NY
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 30/04/2026
A pressure relief valve for #lysosomes. @laylanassar.bsky.social and @shawnferguson.bsky.social @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social discuss Kim et al.’s new study (doi.org/10.1083/jcb....): rupress.org/jcb/article-...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Rainy night friend
Spotted salamander crossing roads on rainy night
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 23/04/2026
@laylanassar.bsky.social & @shawnferguson.bsky.social @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social discuss Kim et al.’s study (doi.org/10.1083/jcb....) showing that TMEM63A protects #lysosomes from rupture by acting as a pressure relief valve when membrane tension rises. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
It was a pleasure to work with @laylanassar.bsky.social to highlight this paper from @spencerfreeman.bsky.social and colleagues that shows how lysosomes can adapt in response to increased membrane tension
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
How do lysosomes rapidly adapt to membrane tension to avoid bursting? In this article, @laylanassar.bsky.social and I highlight discoveries from Angela Kim, Spencer Freeman and colleagues who show a role for TMEM63A, a mechanosensitive cation channel in protecting lysosomes doi.org/10.1083/jcb....
doi.org
A pressure relief valve for lysosomes
Nassar and Ferguson discuss work from Kim et al. showing that TMEM63A protects lysosomes from rupture by acting as a pressure relief valve when membrane te
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Spotted salamander eggs in a vernal pool. Killingworth, CT
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
My friends are out and about again! Spring has officially sprung in Connecticut! 🦎
Red eft salamander Tiny salamander in palm of hand
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Last “ice neurons” of the year? Near Tupper Lake, NY last week
Ice patterns
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
There are still spots available (get them while they last) for the 2026 Lysosomes and Endocytosis GRC (June 14-19, 2026). APPLY NOW if you are interested. Newcomers to the field or old friends, everyone is welcome! www.grc.org/lysosomes-an...
Proctor Academy
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Stephen Royle @steveroyle.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Vaults. They are cell biology's greatest puzzle! This preprint from Martin Beck's lab shows them docked on ER membranes with a ribosome inside. What on earth is going on there?? #CellBiology #WTFology www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
The vault associates with membranes in situ
The eukaryotic vault particle is a giant ribonucleoprotein complex that assembles into an iconic barrel-like cage. Its cellular function has remained elusive despite extensive characterization. Using ...
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Yale Cell Biology @yalecellbiology.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Congratulations to Amanda Bentley-DeSousa of the Ferguson lab for her paper being selected as one of JCB’s most impactful papers of 2025! @shawnferguson.bsky.social
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I am excited to be co-organizing the 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes & Endocytosis continuing a community tradition that has now spanned more than 50 years. www.grc.org/lysosomes-an...
grc.org
2026 Lysosomes and Endocytosis Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes and Endocytosis will be held in Andover, New Hampshire. Apply today to reserve your spot.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
New research led by Devin Clegg that defines how lysosome swelling and lysosome deacidification evoke distinct routes for LRRK2 activation: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org
LRRK2 integrates Rab and GABARAP interactions to sense and respond to distinct lysosomal stresses
Increased activity of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is an important risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 localizes to lysosomal membranes, and changes in lysosome physiology are emerging ...
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 04/12/2025
Bentley-DeSousa, Roczniak-Ferguson and @shawnferguson.bsky.social reveal converging roles of STING and #lysosome damage in activating LRRK2 at #lysosomes via interactions between LRRK2 & GABARAP rupress.org/jcb/article/... 📕 From The Year In Cell Biology: rupress.org/jcb/collecti... #CellBio2025
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Aligning Science Across Parkinson's @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org · 12/08/2025
CRN Team De Camilli reveals a new molecular mechanism that regulates cystine efflux from lysosomes. This work is relevant to #Parkinsons research, as recent studies show JIP4 is downstream of LRRK2. 🔗 Read their #preprint: bit.ly/4l8zCkf ✏️ @shawnferguson.bsky.social @laylanassar.bsky.social
JIP4 KO proximal tubular lysosomes are mislocalized towards the basolateral membrane and contain storage material.
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Parkinson's Foundation Research @pfresearchteam.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
📖Read the latest Advancing Research blog about the impact the @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social 2019 Research Center Award had on PD research at Yale University. @schandralab.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social @pdc-lab.bsky.social @yaleneuro.bsky.social www.parkinson.org/blog/researc...
parkinson.org
From Parkinson’s Foundation Research Center to Powerhouse: How Yale Became a Leader in Parkinson’s Science
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Connecticut cactus flower season 🌵
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Carbide Wilson ruins. Gatineau Park, Quebec
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Exploring Waterville Valley, NH
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I am excited to share our new preprint! Led by @laylanassar.bsky.social , we have found a new JIP4-dependent mechanism that controls the efflux of cystine from lysosomes. Our findings have implications for both lysosome biology and human disease: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org
JIP4 deficiency causes a novel lysosome storage disease arising from impaired cystine efflux
Lysosomes break down macromolecules, clear cellular waste and recycle nutrients such as cystine. We describe a novel mechanism whereby JIP4 regulates lysosomal cystine storage by controlling the abundance of cystinosin (CTNS), the transporter responsible for lysosomal cystine efflux. To this end, JIP4, previously characterized as a motor adaptor and kinase signaling scaffold, suppresses TMEM55B-dependent ubiquitylation of CTNS. Loss of JIP4 reduces CTNS protein levels, leading to lysosomal cystine accumulation and lysosomal storage defects that phenocopy loss of CTNS in both human cells and the renal proximal tubules of JIP4 knockout mice. These phenotypes mirror cystinosis, the lysosomal storage disease caused by CTNS loss-of-function. Our findings thus reveal a fundamental process that controls the efflux of lysosomal cystine and has relevance to understanding human disease arising from JIP4 mutations. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. NIH, AG085824, AG062210, R35GM150619 Michael J. Fox Foundation, https://ror.org/03arq3225, ASAP-000580
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Multiple recent studies, including 3 impressive natural experiments, consistently show a link between Shingles vaccines and reduced dementia. This week a nationwide S Korea study added a reduction of cardiovascular events My summary Table. More here on dementia erictopol.substack.com/p/the-shingl...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Pink lady slipper orchid
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Mike Lange @mikelangelipid.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Fantastic new study from Raphael Rodriguez' lab shows that induced proximity concepts can be used to induce Ferroptosis! Inducing proximity of lysosomal iron and lipids induces lipid peroxidation! What a cool concept! Have a look at our News/Views with @olzmannlab.bsky.social shorturl.at/cbc8D
shorturl.at
Lipid-degrading small molecule kills cancer cells by ferroptosis
A molecule designed to activate iron locked up in organelles called lysosomes and thereby induce cell death might offer a way to tackle treatment-resistant cancer.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Here’s a new set of discoveries led by Francesca Filippini: doi.org/10.1101/2025... We found that LRP10 promotes the efficient delivery of progranulin to lysosomes and that microglia are particularly sensitive to loss of LRP10.
doi.org
LRP10 promotes trafficking of progranulin and prosaposin to lysosomes
Mutations in LRP10, a low-density lipoprotein receptor family member, cause familial Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. However, its direct cellular functions remain largely undefined....
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bioRxiv Cell Biology @biorxiv-cellbio.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
LRP10 promotes trafficking of progranulin and prosaposin to lysosomes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/202…
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Nature Cell Biology @natcellbio.nature.com · 01/05/2025
☕Wang et al. show the recruitment of the #lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and #lysosomes after lysosomal damage. bit.ly/4jT01lz
bit.ly
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage - Nature Cell Biology
Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal damage.
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Johan Duchêne @johanduchene.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Antibodies don't work. NLRP3 is by far the most studied inflammasome — yet <30% of commercial antibodies were specific. Only 4 of 14 tested antibodies detected NLRP3 specifically. Antibodies must be validated before use. Full report by @ycharos.bsky.social : zenodo.org/records/1162...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
Springtime forest friend
Red eft on a mossy rock
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Parkinson's Foundation Research @pfresearchteam.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
📄Shoutout to our 2019 Research Center awardees at Yale (@pdc-lab.bsky.social, @shawnferguson.bsky.social) for their new publication on the bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage - Nature Cell Biology
Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal damage.
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Hanieh Falahati @haniehfalahati.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Earlier this month I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Zoncu @robzonculab.bsky.social during his visit to Yale. It was so inspiring- and also fun! Here is a link: medicine.yale.edu/cellbio/news...
medicine.yale.edu
Meet our Speakers: Dr. Roberto Zoncu
As a scientist, starting from my postdoc and continuing in my own lab, we have helped redefine the role of the lysosome. Historically, it was considered a
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Yale Neuroscience @yaleneuro.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
In a new @naturecellbiology.bsky.social paper, @pdc-lab.bsky.social, @xinbowang.bsky.social, & @shawnferguson.bsky.social found that proteins VPS13C & LRRK2 react to lysosomal damage to repair it— an inability to repair damaged lysosomes may be one mechanism that contributes to Parkinson’s disease 🧠
medicine.yale.edu
Damaged Cell ‘Trash Cans’ May Contribute to Parkinson’s Disease
A new study on a gene called VPS13C adds to growing evidence that lysosomal dysfunction may be one mechanism through which Parkinson’s disease arises.
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De Camilli Lab @pdc-lab.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
"The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage" out now in Nature Cell Biology rdcu.be/ehbaL
rdcu.be
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage
Nature Cell Biology - Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal...
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Prof Malú Gámez Tansey @malutansey.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Thanks for amplifying the excellent work spearheaded by Rebecca Wallings & team on roles of #Gpnmb & #Grn in peripheral immune cell function
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Juan S. Bonifacino @juanbonifacino.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Our lab at the NIH (Bethesda, MD) is looking for postdoctoral fellows to join our team studying the molecular mechanisms of protein trafficking and their links to neurodevelopmental disorders starting on or after 10-1-2025. Send your application to juan.bonifacino@nih.gov. Please share and repost!
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Springtime in Boston
A billboard with bright yellow sunflowers against a backdrop of grey drizzle along a street in Boston
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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
“The results provide some of the strongest evidence yet that some viral infections can have effects on brain function years later and that preventing them can help stave off cognitive decline… “If you’re reducing the risk of dementia by 20 percent, that’s quite important in a public health context”
nytimes.com
Shingles Vaccine Can Decrease Risk of Dementia, Study Finds
A growing body of research suggests that preventing the viral infection can help stave off cognitive decline.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Happy 🐝 on a beautiful spring day at Yale School of Medicine!
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The vaccine against Shingles helps protect against dementia, results of a natural experiment, adding to prior evidence "implications are profound" New @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41... nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia - Nature
Using a natural experiment that avoids common bias concerns, this study finds that the live-attenuated shingles vaccine reduced the probability of a new dementia diagnosis within a follow-up period of...
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Roux Lab, Geneva @rouxlab.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A short reminder that registrations for the EMBO ESCRT meeting 2025 in Montreux June 23rd-June27th are still opened! Please register online at meetings.embo.org/event/25-escrt
meetings.embo.org
ESCRT function, evolutionary diversity and mechanism of action
The ESCRTs (Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport) were discovered in 2002 and became one of the most dynamic fields of research in membrane cell biology. ESCRTs are protein complexes fo…
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Keystone Symposia @keystonesymposia.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
📢 Postdocs, register for the Neurodegeneration event by 4/22 (11:59pm MST) to save $200! Plus, get an extra $275 off and access two meetings for the price of one. Secure your spot: keysym.us/KSNeuroDegen25 youtu.be/ZL5SP8SJrCs #KSNeuroDegen25 @michael-e-ward.bsky.social @erikaholzbaur.bsky.social
youtu.be
KSQA: Dr. Michael Ward (Neurodegeneration)
YouTube video by KeystoneSymposia
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Fran Bottanelli @franbottanelli.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Hey #scisky has anybody made the move to FBS substitutes for their research and is happy??? I soon may need a grant just to fund lab FBS 😭
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 26/03/2025
Wu et al @sickkidsto.bsky.social show that Snx10 regulates PI(3,5)P2 accumulation on #lysosomes by controlling PI(3)P delivery. Deleting Snx10 inhibits ClC-7, thereby impairing (phago)lysosome resolution. This mechanism may account for Snx10-related #osteopetrosis. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
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Rupert Beale @bealelab.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Could you submit an abstract by tomorrow (27 March)? Of course you could! See you there. #autophagy
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
I agree! I would prefer to read a paper that concisely provides one solid new finding. If suggestions for experiments that would broaden scope are truly of value, then they should be the basis for a new paper. If not, then they don’t belong anyways.
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Michael Ward @michael-e-ward.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
One day left to submit an abstract for short talk consideration at the upcoming Keystone Neurodegeneration meeting (Whistler, BC, June 8-11). We have an amazing set of speakers lined up already - please join us! For more info, see: vimeo.com/1068280559/9...
vimeo.com
25Z4-Event Promo-V1
This is "25Z4-Event Promo-V1" by Keystone Symposia on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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