LomvardasLab

Researchers at @ColumbiaMed led by @CicciaAlberto have identified a potential new therapeutic target for some of the most aggressive tumors. The study found ALT-positive tumors depend on the protein SMARCAL1 to survive, opening the door to new treatments. cancer.columbia.edu/news/means-end…

Transplanting light-dependent reactions for mammalian eye photosynthesis: Cell cell.com/cell/fulltext/… This is why AI will never replace us!

@mukundiyngr and for those who already have multiple grants already they assign which grant will be renewed under the 15% score, which one with the 10%, etch

@mukundiyngr How about instead of capping grants have the following rule: 1st grant funded with 15% priority score; 2nd grant funded with 10% priority score; 3rd grant 5%, anything after that you need to score 2.5% or less. Great projects will still be funded...

Should NIH cap the number of grants per PI? There are strong arguments on both sides. Here are the numbers. Draw your own conclusions: ▪️ 70% of PIs hold one grant, and just ~3.5% hold 4+ ▪️ The average 4+ PI manages $1.43M v/s $285K for a single-grant PI (5× disparity ratio). ▪️ Within the 4+ bucket, the concentration gets extreme: 857 PIs hold exactly 4, but 35 PIs hold 7-10 grants apiece managing $209M. ▪️ Expand the lens to 3+ grants (top 6.5% PIs), they account for $4.54B, or 17.9% of all NIH RPG funding. ▪️ NIH estimates that capping at 3 grants per PI would free up $2B, enough to support ~3,000 PIs The question isn’t whether grant concentration exists. It’s whether the current balance best serves the future of biomedical research. Should more PIs get a first opportunity, or do concentrated portfolios produce greater scientific returns? NIH is now asking the community exactly that. RFI in the first comment. Deadline Aug 03.

Structural basis for host membrane binding and remodeling by invading malaria parasites: Cell cell.com/cell/fulltext/… Spectacular new paper from Mimi Ho, one of our bright young faculty @Columbia

tang-prize.org/en/media_detai… Congratulations to our great colleague Michel Sadelain and the other pioneers of this life saving technology

Coffee is on me whenever we meet (everyone), if your paper gets a QED Score above 70 the-one-percent.qedscience.com

Brain-Controlled Hearing System Proves Itself in First Human Studies zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu/brain-controll… taxpayers money put in good use. People using hearing aids can immediately appreciate the importance of this discovery!

pulupalab.com/people Science people who are looking for a fantastic mentor that does groundbreaking science in a beautiful place, @JoanPulupa is opening shop soon @scrippsresearch institute. Run don't walk.

news.columbia.edu/news/columbia-… For those that loose faith in the value of academic, government-funded research, this list provides a nice example of how the pursue of knowledge improves and saves lives!

ritaallen.org/stories/announ… When your former graduate student and your recent junior faculty recruit @ColumbiaBiochem both become Rita Allen Scholars, it is a good day in the office. Congrats to Eirini, Naomi and all the Scholars

Why do some pancreatic cancers spread while others don't? 💭 Researchers led by @Chiolaboratory have uncovered a mechanism that drives the most aggressive forms of the disease, offering new clues for predicting risk and tailoring emerging therapies. cancer.columbia.edu/news/pancreati…

Thermodynamic prediction of RNA cellular activity from sequence via conformational ensembles: Cell cell.com/cell/fulltext/…

Please spread the word and register. Great event for sharing science and building collaboration for NYC epigenetic labs!

Inventing the future: A neuroscience research roadmap sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Incredible honor to receive the @Vilcek prize for creative promise on biomedical sciences🎉 Huge congrats to Karolin Luger, @AashishManglik , and @BernaSozen_ 🥳 It was great meeting you all! The next application deadline is coming up, apply!!

@brangwynnelab Congrats! So well deserved.

A great honor (especially alongside this amazing group)!

Our latest profile is here! Dr. Carol Mason studies the development of connectivity between the eyes and the brain. Click the link below to listen and learn more! storiesofwin.org/profiles/2026/… #StoriesOfWiN #WomenInNeuroscience

Carol Mason is everyone’s person! A thoughtful, kind, and loving mentor and friend for all of us at Columbia.

Congrats to our colleague @ColumbiaBiochem Hashim Al-Hashimi for this great accomplishment!!! 12th active member of the department elected in the academy!