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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The 10th Annual SIDB Retreat was held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 1-2 Sept. With two days of talks, posters, discussions and networking, over 180 participants celebrated a decade of SIDB. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success, here’s to the next 10 years! 👉https://edin.ac/4gWmIqB

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Congratulations to SIDB Postdoctoral Researcher Nagore Elu from the Louros Lab on receiving the Best Poster Award at this year’s UK Proteostasis Meeting in London! Nagore’s poster was titled “Molecular Mechanisms of Hyperexcitability in Angelman Syndrome.”

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Researchers in the Pratt Lab at SIDB have published a paper this month in the Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience investigating the effect of gene microdeletion at the 16p11.2 locus in the human chromosome. 👇Check out the article below! edin.ac/44HRwVb

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Yesterday was World Fragile X Day. At SIDB, exciting research is helping us further understanding of Fragile X Syndrome and how it affects the brain. 🔬 Learn more about our work by following the link in our bio! #WorldFragileXDay @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Some of our SIDB members made an appearance at the FENS forum last week in Barcelona, including Professor Peter Kind and Professor Nathalie Rochefort. Many SIDB PhD students and postdocs presented posters on their most recent findings! @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Today is World #CDKL5Day, raising awareness of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. SIDB stands with the CDKL5 community and recognises the importance of research, awareness and collaboration in improving the lives of those affected. 💙

SIDB Researchers group photo at the 2025 SIDB Retreat at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Congratulations to Kelsey Martin on being awarded the 2026 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience! Kelsey shares this prestigious honour for discoveries that transformed our understanding of how neurons adapt, learn, and form connections. Find out more: edin.ac/3S6A7SX #KavliPrize @simonsfoundation.org

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Postdoc opportunity (4 years, full-time) Join the Ian Duguid lab to study how neural circuits enable flexible motor behaviour. Great fit for systems neuroscientists interested in circuits, behaviour & computation. 📅 Apply by 21 May Check out the SIDB vacancies page for more

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day 💙 At SIDB, we study the neurological basis of monogenic autism and ID, while fostering a neuroinclusive environment for all. 📸 Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez mentoring on DuoDay @ Edinbugh University @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Celebrating the Brain Awareness Week with SIDB. Together with our sister centre @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social, our mission is to understand the neurological basis of and to test new therapies for monogenic forms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Image credit: Dr Andrew McKechanie

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Prof. Ana Domingos will be delivering a seminar titled "The Sympathetic Brain-Body Axis in Obesity" at 3-4pm tomorrow, 12th March at the Wellcome Auditorium in QMRI. You can find out more here👇 edin.ac/4bibaKh @edinunineuro.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social

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Constantinos Eleftheriou @celefthe.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

It's been a couple of years now since I finished my PhD at the @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social ... and looking back at the experience, I think most of the things I learned had little to do with neuroscience. I list a few of them in my latest blog post at celefthe.com/blog/2026/a-...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Yesterday marked the International Day of Women and Girls in Science👩‍🔬. SIDB is proud to recognise and support the outstanding women in our community whose work continues to advance our understanding of brain development and function.

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sambooker.bsky.social @sambooker.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

We just published a thing! www.frontiersin.org/journals/pha... Here we show that somatostatin interneurons display exaggerated LTP in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome, and which is sensitive to GABAB receptor activation; but which are not manifested at the circuit level - more work to do!

frontiersin.org

Frontiers | Elevated somatostatin interneuron long-term potentiation minimally regulates temporoammonic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome

IntroductionFragile X Syndrome is a common, inherited single gene cause of intellectual disability, associated with autism, epilepsy, anxiety, and sensory di...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

⏳ 1 weeks left to apply for our PhD studentships! 💡 £25K annual stipend + tuition at SIDB, Edinburgh University🧠 Apply by 20 Jan: 👉 sidb.org.uk/phds/ #ExtraordinaryEdinburgh #Neuroscience #PhD #Edinburgh #Research #Science

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

The Wood lab is recruiting a postdoc to study neural circuits underlying cognition in rat models of neurodevelopmental disorders. You’ll use high-density in vivo electrophysiology to probe the head-direction system and conduct advanced data analysis. For more: www.sidb.org.uk/vacancies/

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined the 9th Annual SIDB Retreat! Two incredible days of inspiring science, great discussions, and vibrant collaboration. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Find out more on sidb.org or via linktree in our bio

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

We are incredibly honored to receive continued support from the Simons Foundation in our mission to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Thrilled to share that SIDB has received renewed support from the Simons Foundation! We remain committed to advancing the basic science of autism and NDDs through collaboration and open science.

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College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh Uni @cmvm-edinburghuni.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Big boost for autism research: The Simons Foundation has pledged up to £40m to study brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders with the aim of finding new treatments for conditions such as Fragile X syndrome and SYNGAP1-related disorders. edin.ac/454Gqt4 @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

🎉 Congrats to @cristina-mtz-glz.bsky.social for winning 1st prize in the BNA Photo Competition! Her image of a whole mouse brain labelled for tyrosine hydroxylase, captured with light-sheet microscopy, will feature in the BNA 2025/26 calendar @britishneuro.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

This week we welcomed Vicki Johnstone — the new Fragile X Society Family Support Worker for Scotland! 💙 She got a behind-the-scenes look at our work, from neurons to behaviours, plus a peek into our clinical research. We hope she enjoyed it! @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Today on #SYNGAP1AwarenessDay, we at SIDB celebrate scientific progress and honour the people driving change. From molecule to behaviour, we’re committed to understanding and supporting SYNGAP1-ID. Find out more 👇 edin.ac/4nv3ny7 @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social

Image of a neuron with purple stains and green words in front says 'together for SYNGAP1 awareness day'

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Today is International CDKL5 Day! 💚 At SIDB, exciting research is underway to help deepen our understanding of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder and how it affects the brain. 🔬 Learn more about our work by following the link in our bio! @edinburghuni.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

In April, SIDB researchers had a great time presenting at BNA 2025 - Festival of Neuroscience in Liverpool, UK. Find out more in our bio! @edinunineuro.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social @britishneuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social

Prof. Adrian Bird delivering a plenary talk (top left); Dr Cristina Martinez Gonzalez introducing RatDISCO (top right); Technician Kirsty Craigie presenting a poster with Dr Matinez Gonzalez (bottom left); PhD strudent Natalie Ling Sum Hung presenting a poster; Post-doc Raven Hickson and PhD student Tess Atkinson exploreing Liverpool after the conference

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Deadline of this PhD application has been extended to 10 APRIL! Find out more and apply here

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

The Pagan lab is advertising for a 3.5 year fully funded PhD studentship to start in 2025 within SIDB at Edinburgh University, investigating the neural mechanism underlying flexible decision-making. 🗓️Deadline: 4 April 2024 👇Find out more and apply now: sidb.org.uk/phds/study-o...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Prof. Adrian Bird will be deliverying a plenary session on Rett Syndrome at #BNA2025. Check out the full programme here: lnkd.in/esa9hs4x Registration at standard rates held until 7th April lnkd.in/eQGnDp8t @edinburghuni.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @britishneuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

SIDB and @ukdri.ac.uk researchers at The University of Edinburgh and @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social have found that FMRP maintains the form and function of neuron-maintenance cells, essential for rapid and efficient neuron communication. Read more: www.sidb.org.uk/news-events/...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

We had a fantastic day welcoming family members affected by GRI-disorders. We had the opportunity to share our research & learn about their experience and the work carried out by the GRI-UK charity. Read more: sidb.org.uk/news-events/... @edinunineuro.bsky.social @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

SIDB (University of Edinburgh) and Princeton University researchers have discovered that individuals use different neural strategies when making decisions. Read more: sidb.org.uk/news-events/... @marinopagan.bsky.social @jpillowtime.bsky.social @sussillodavid.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Dr. Leena Eve Williams, Prof Anthony Holtmaat & colleagues’ have found that whisker stimulation, at the rates for which rodents actively sense their natural environment, enhances brain plasticity and neuronal connections. >> sidb.org.uk/news-events/... @edinunineuro.bsky.social @ndlab.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

The Donlin-Asp Lab ( @pdaphd.bsky.social ) is hiring a postdoc to conduct primary research into how neurons transport mRNA to distal sites and use these mRNAs as substrates for local protein synthesis during synaptic plasticity. elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid... @edinunineuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Join us at the BNA Festival of Neuroscience! Researchers Rebecca Jordan, Danai Katsanevaki, Matt Jones & Oliver Hardt will share their latest work, with a focus on how genetic changes in neurodevelopmental conditions affect brain function, behaviour & cognition. @beckyjordan.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

SIDB Deputy Director Prof Adrian Bird is presenting at this year's BNA Festival. Prof Bird is a leading expert on DNA methylation and epigenetics. In 2007, his lab reversed Rett syndrome symptoms in mice, sparking hope for therapies. @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social Register at the link below!

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lyons-lab.bsky.social @lyons-lab.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Couple of opportunities up to join the group! One at postdoc level, but open to senior support path. One research assistant role. Please share, or drop a line if you want to learn more! Or just apply! Thanks! elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid... elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

We are pleased to be partnering with The UKRI AI CDT in Biomedical Innovation at the School of Informatics (University of Edinburgh). These PhD projects have a strong translational focus and seek to develop & apply AI approaches to biomedical domains ✨. Apply by 20 Jan www.ai4biomed.io/how-to-apply/

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

There’s just under 2 weeks to apply for our PhD studentships! Join our dynamic community where we provide an annual stipend of £25K, plus tuition fees (inc. international) 🧠. Apply by 26 January and start your journey with us: sidb.org.uk/phds/ @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

The Nolan lab at SIDB reveal new methods to provide a more detailed picture of how the brain forms and maintains spatial maps, which is important for memory and navigation. Read the news 🔽 sidb.org.uk/news-events/... @elife.bsky.social @wellcometrust.bsky.social @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

This month, the Illingworth Lab inspired future neuroscientists with 'Slice of Science' at Castlebrae High School. This exciting series of monthly outreach events is organised by PhD student Lucy Doyle, and gives students a slice of science alongside a slice of pizza. sidb.org.uk/news-events/...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

SIDB are partnering with the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh to offer studentships that will use AI methods to improve our understanding of autism & neurodevelopmental conditions. Find a project that interests you: www.ai4biomed.io/research/pro...

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Congratulations Ying Sze for being awarded the presentation prize at the Scottish Pain and Research Community meeting. Her talk was on 'Affective Pain in a Rat Model of SYNGAP1 Haploinsufficiency'. > sidb.org.uk/news-events/... @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Do you have experience in mechanical/electrical engineering, or a related field? Are you passionate about neurodevelopmental biology? 🚨SIDB is recruiting for a Research Support Engineer🚨

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Huge congratulations to @cristina-mtz-glz.bsky.social, awarded the Runner Up for the Scottish Microscopist of the Year Award 2024. This award celebrates inspirational and outstanding contributions to the Scottish Microscopy community. L - organid; R - rat heart.

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Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Congratulations, Katerina! We're so pleased for you, and look forward to seeing more of you as a postdoc.

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