Rachel Lukowicz-Bedford, PhD

We created a comic book based on our research on the role of GJ channels and bioelectricity in neuromuscular development! This was an amazing collaboration with undergraduate art student Bentley Smallwood.🐟🔬⚡️ Read the whole version here: opentext.uoregon.edu/science-comics… #Zebrafish

New preprint! 🔥A wonderful collaboration of our @FellerMarla lab with Matthew Po, and @shekharlab. Here, we dive into the impact of activity on the transcriptome of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the sole output neurons of the retina. 1/12 biorxiv.org/content/10.110…

@bsw5020 Thank you for providing us with hope, and reminding us of the resiliency of the human spirit. It’s been a joy to follow you here. Looking forward to more goodnight moons 🌑 on the other blue space. 🦋

#CARTcells for #DIPG #DMG clinical trial (1st arm) results are out today. Full Tweetorial coming, but first want to share the story of a patient whose #DIPG has disappeared for over 3 years. It is a milestone and moment of hope on a journey filled with so much grief. “There’s a lot of loss that led to this research,” Drew’s dad said. “I hope those families know that this success is because of them.” med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/…

@WillettLabs @AndracaJulia 🦴💊🔬 You can read the full paper here: sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

New work from the @WillettLabs , led by @AndracaJulia , explores how the immunosuppressive drug Tacrolimus (FK506) can speed up regeneration in a spinal fusion model—achieving fusion rates comparable to BMP. 💊📷 Read more here: knightcampus.uoregon.edu/old-dog-new-tr…

if you’re unsure what to say today— say liberation comes through people. people fortify and build community. we keep us safe is not just a chant but a way of life. build together, care for people in the way a vote simply never could— with action, love and resistance 🖤

For those interested in this comic initiative, you’ll love this other collaboration with @RachelLukowicz 🐟

@ZebrafishRock Thank you for sharing! 🤩🐟

Lots of cool stuff coming from the @uoregon Science and Comic Initiative!

RNA IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS DNA!!!

A printed version of our science comic came in today, and it’s somehow more beautiful in print! If you want a copy to print on your own, DM me and I’ll send you a version. ⚡️🐟

Our latest issue just dropped! 👇👇👇 cell.com/current-biolog…

@CurrentBiology What an amazing photo on the cover!🦎

When I started my postdoc, I asked if partial reprogramming could rejuvenate aging worm neurons. It turns out, these worm OSK factors are neutral or even deleterious to C. elegans lifespan and chemosensation! Thanks to @ctmurphy1 and @RKaletsky for their help and support!

The breadth of research at @uoregon is remarkable, from AI and quantum technologies to cutting-edge earthquake science. Each of these programs is a testament to the power of curiosity-driven research, supported by @NSF.

@fishyskeleton Thanks for clarifying, my mistake confusing the fin differences with Cx and other channels. Here is the original work that the comic is based on: cell.com/current-biolog…, which hopefully just adds to the layers of bioelectric signaling in development, and GJ channels of course.

@RachelLukowicz the lof mutant is gain of function kcnh2. Interestingly when you cross these mutants to some connexins (Cx43/sortfin) it can suppress this growth. I very much like your work! better in describing than I. I just thought it interesting your choice of last zf standing!

We created a comic book based on our research on the role of GJ channels and bioelectricity in neuromuscular development! This was an amazing collaboration with undergraduate art student Bentley Smallwood.🐟🔬⚡️ Read the whole version here: opentext.uoregon.edu/science-comics… #Zebrafish

@fishyskeleton Thanks, Matthew, your work was helpful in thinking about bioelectric signaling! In the comic, we discuss gjd4/Cx46.8 (which hasn't been characterized in fish before this). I am assuming you are referring to the other Cx43 long-tail mutants?

@RachelLukowicz Absolutely fantastic work! You might note that the lof zebrafish you detail at the end is also due to increased bioelectric signaling leading to larger fins!

Also, I want to add that this is maybe the coolest thing that I have ever been a part of. It was so fun to work with Bentley, who is very talented. I pinch myself every time I look at it!

Special thanks to the University of Oregon Science and Comics Initiative for the opportunity and support for this project. 🎨🧪✨ Explore how they’re blending science and art for impactful outreach here: opentext.uoregon.edu/science-comics…

Thrilled to have this piece on the wonder, mystery, and very long history of #devbiol out in @aeonmag. aeon.co/essays/after-3…