Anthony Waked

Almost 130 million girls around the world did not pack their bags to go to school this morning. They were the main focus of my address to the @EP_Development at the @EUParl_EN on the occasion of the European Week of Action for Girls. @EUgirlsweek @ONEinEU

Retraction—Today, we retract an unsigned 1977 commentary suggesting talc powder containing asbestos was not harmful. The Lancet was informed that the author had undisclosed competing interests and breached publication ethics. /4

This is a fun paper about crowdsourcing biosensor designs. TL;DR There is this "video game" called Eterna where players design RNA sequences at home, and then their designs are actually synthesized and tested in a laboratory. Eterna is built on a program called NUPACK which estimates the free energies of various RNA structures. So players can design a sequence and simulate how it will fold, and then use these calculations to refine their designs. These RNA sensors typically work via fluorescence. In other words, they contain a sequence or "string" of nucleotides that a fluorescent molecule can latch onto and then emit a signal. So in the simplest possible case, like making a RNA sensor to detect a single input, you would design a RNA sequence that folds up, or sequesters, this binding site in its OFF state. When this RNA sensor comes into contact with another RNA molecule (the sequence to be detected), the sensor would then change shape and expose the binding site for the fluorescent output. This is the high-level view of a simple RNA sensor. Now, for this particular paper, players were asked to design RNA sensors that could detect *THREE* RNA molecules associated with tuberculosis. The RNA sensor should only fluoresce if all three RNAs are present, corresponding to transcripts from genes associated with the disease called GBP5, DUSP3, and KLF2. And amazingly, several players managed to do it using RNA sensors that were only 85 nucleotides in length. (Each design is tested using a modified Illumina sequencer, actually. A DNA sequence encoding each biosensor design is placed into each well of the sequencing chip, where a RNA polymerase enzyme transcribes it into RNA. The inputs and fluorescent molecules are then "flowed over" these well and the Illumina camera is used to capture the output signals. It's really clever engineering.) This paper is a nice demonstration not only of crowdsourced design, but also a compelling way to collect useful data that can then be used to train AI models. It would be great to see more scientific video games, perhaps for virtual cells or biomaterial design and so on.

The world fell short at @GlobalFund replenishment. But a stronger outcome is still possible. @EU_Commission can help unlock hundreds of millions in additional resources & protect millions of lives.👉Our reactive statement w/ Aidsfonds, APH, Friends of Global Fund Europe & GHA.

🌍 Proud to see 3 of our #ONEActivists joining Generation Climate Europe’s Pre-COP 30 Youth Workshop yesterday! Together with 40 youth leaders, they shaped collective and bold climate advocacy ahead of #COP30 in Belém. 📷 #Youth4Climate

For decades, people in LMICs waited 10-15 years for affordable HIV medicines, costing lives. Today, @CHAI_health, @WitsRHI, @drreddys & Unitaid are changing that with injectable lenacapavir at $40/year. Our work isn’t done but this is a turning point. 🔗 unitaid.org/lenacapavir

➡️About 4,000 girls & young women in SSA acquire HIV every week. TB killed 1.25M people in 2024. Nearly every minute, a child < 5 dies of malaria. Words alone don’t save lives, investments do. The EU must pledge €800M to @GlobalFund to keep fighting these epidemics. #soteu2025

📽️Diseases know no borders. Global health isn't charity, it's security. Now is the time for the EU to match ambition with action by pledging 800M€ to the @GlobalFund, demonstrating leadership in global health and investing in its own health security. #soteu2025

📹 On the eve of #SOTEU, our Youth Ambassadors took to the streets of Brussels to ask: why does global health matter, and why should Europe invest in the @GlobalFund? 🌍 Tomorrow, @vonderleyen - we count on you to champion a €800M pledge for better health, brighter futures.

How Data Secrecy is Stalling Progress in Cell and Gene Therapies biospace.com/drug-developme…

A snapshot from our amazing Global Activist convening yesterday! 🎉 #ONEActivists from around the world came together to share ideas and strategies, and discuss ways to make the world a more just and equal place, together. Thank you to everyone who participated, and thank you to our CEO @ndidiNwuneli and activist and diplomat Aya Chebbi for your inspiring words! 👏

🌍 1 in 6 people globally suffers from loneliness — a silent crisis now recognized as a serious public health threat by the World Health Organization (@WHO). 🔗 who.int/news/item/30-0… 💬 Let’s make mental health a public health priority — and a political one.

Just Announced: In partnership with @GileadSciences, @GlobalFund has secured access to lenacapavir, a breakthrough, long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, for low- and middle-income countries. The agreement is a pivotal moment in the fight to #DefeatAIDS, ensuring lifesaving innovation reaches those who need it most, wherever they live. Read more: theglobalfund.org/en/news/2025/2…

¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE is cost-effective as a first-line treatment for patients with grade 2 or 3, well-differentiated, advanced gastroenteropancreatic #NeuroendocrineTumors. ow.ly/Zzw150W9YMP #NuclearMedicine @WolfgangGKunzMD @MUnterrainerMD @matbrendel @UnterrainerLena

💉🌍Today, our ONE Youth Ambassadors are at the @gavi's replenishment summit, where world leaders can invest in a healthier, more resilient future for all. 🎥 Watch how they’re taking the stage to demand vaccine access for everyone, everywhere! #ForOurFuture

It was a wonderful honor to engage in the @gavi Summit in Brussels! Our amazing @ONEinEU Ambassadors spoke passionately & engaged global leaders! I moderated a panel on country leadership & sustainability! I am truly proud of @ONECampaign's tireless efforts to support @gavi!

💉 Vaccine sovereignty isn’t just about shots in arms : it’s about equity, agency, and the power to protect your people. Africa is rewriting the rules, and @Gavi is helping hold the pen! Tomorrow’s #GaviReplenishment is our chance to fund that future. one.org/stories/africa…

#AfricaDay reminded us global health gains are fragile and worth fighting for. Ahead of today’s #ForeignAffairsCouncil ONE’s Youth Ambassadors urge Commissioner @JozefSikela for: €200bn in ODA in the next #EUbudget Stronger EU support to @gavi & @GlobalFund Read their letter👇

Researchers & academics are key to success in cutting-edge industry & new clean tech Yet academic freedom is under threat in many regions How does the EU propose to help them Choose Europe for Science? 👇 #EPlenary @EP_Industry @bbudka @MEP_Ehler @alexagiussaliba @ijabs

"ODA is more than aid, it’s a lever for partnership and global engagement. If the EU doesn’t invest smartly, others will." 💡Development is a geopolitical act. Our budget must reflect that. 🔍 Read: A budget that delivers for people and planet from the MFF HUB #EUbudget 3/6

💫 Big thanks to @cynimhurchu for engaging with our inspiring #ONEActivists on global health and EU leadership. It’s conversations like these that move things forward ! 🌍🗣️