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Senior Scientist | Vaccine Research & Development | NIH | NIAID | VRC | 🧬🧫🦠🔬💉🥼🥽 | 🏳️‍🌈 | @analogaquatic 💍 | @thephoenixnest_ & @multicolorbark 🧵🪡 |
Lenny Marlow Profile picture Dame Chris🌟🇺🇦😷 #RejoinEU #FBPE #GTTO🔶️ Profile picture John Saunders Profile picture Joe Lang Profile picture Aaron Glimme Profile picture 62 subscribed
Jun 27 15 tweets 5 min read
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at JHU have identified the Aplp1 protein, which facilitates the spread of harmful alpha-synuclein proteins in the brain as a novel therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease AND a potential therapy using an EXISTING FDA-approved cancer drug.🧵⬇️ Source:

link.springer.com/article/10.103…
hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/…

Summary:   Researchers discovered a novel therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease, the Aplp1 protein, which facilitates the spread of harmful alpha-synuclein proteins in the brain. Notably, an FDA-approved cancer drug targeting Lag3- a protein that interacts with Aplp1- has shown promise in blocking this spread in mouse models.  This breakthrough research suggests the potential for repurposing existing cancer therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Key Facts:  •Aplp1 and Lag3 interaction is crucial for the spread of alpha-synuclein in the brain.  •A FDA-approved cancer drug, nivolumab/relatlimab, targeting Lag3 shows potential in blocking this interaction.  •This research offers new hope for the treatment of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Jun 21 14 tweets 5 min read
THIS IS HUGE! For the FIRST time, an HIV PrEP drug candidate in the form of a twice-yearly subcutaneous shot has shown ZERO infections in a late-stage Phase III trial. Lenacapavir was 100% effective at preventing HIV in MORE THAN 2,000 participants.

Let’s talk about that!🧵⬇️ Source:
gilead.com/news-and-press…
KEY POINTS  •Gilead’s twice-yearly medicine to prevent HIV succeeded in a Phase 3 trial.  •None of the roughly 2,000 women in the trial who received the lenacapavir shot contracted HIV.  •Gilead needs to replicate the results in another Phase 3 trial before seeking FDA approval. The company expects to share more data later this year or early next year.  •If the results are positive, Lenacapavir for PrEP could reach the market as soon as LATE 2025.
Jun 11 13 tweets 3 min read
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new antibiotic that reduced or eliminated drug-resistant bacterial infections (MORE THAN 130 multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, in fact) while sparing the gut microbiome!

Let’s talk about that!🧵⬇️ The findings were recently published in Nature.


The study looked at the development of an antibiotic that targets gram-negative bacteria without disturbing the gut microbiome.nature.com/articles/s4158…
Jun 7 15 tweets 4 min read
THIS IS HUGE! A major trigger in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related conditions has been identified, and existing drugs CAN stamp it out, in what scientists call a "massive step" in successfully treating these debilitating chronic conditions. Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️ Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, in collaboration with University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London (ICL), have uncovered a problem gene enhancer that stimulates action along a specific biological pathway that causes IBD inflammation.
May 28 13 tweets 5 min read
HOW COOL IS THIS? A vaccine for honeybees? More likely than you think! Not only did the vaccine protect bees from a fatal BACTERIAL disease, it ALSO protected them against from a VIRAL disease spread by varroa mites! Now that’s a BUZZWORTHY solution! 🐝

Let’s talk about that! 🧵 Honeybees are under stress from pesticides, mites and a variety of diseases. Now, a new vaccine aimed at protecting bees from a serious bacterial infection may do double duty by warding off a virus. The first vaccine designed for insects may make honeybees healthier overall. Honeybee hives vaccinated against a bacterial disease had much lower levels of an unrelated viral disease than did unvaccinated hives.
frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…
May 22 11 tweets 3 min read
THIS IS HUGE! A new study shows nanoparticles fashioned from the cowpea mosaic virus demonstrated remarkable success in improving survival rates AND suppressing the growth of metastatic tumors across VARIOUS cancer models including colon, ovarian, and breast cancer!🧵⬇️ An experimental treatment made from a plant virus is effective at protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice, shows a new study from the University of California San Diego.

The findings were published recently in Advanced Science.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ad…
May 13 14 tweets 3 min read
I aspire to exude as much confidence as this little Kinesin protein strutting along a microtubule while hauling intracellular cargo.

Look at that little guy go! 👏 The original animation dates back to 2006, when it was published by a pair of Harvard University researchers working with an artist and animator named John Liebler. Together, the trio took several years to produce a dramatized 3D modeling of internal cellular function titled
May 7 15 tweets 4 min read
This is HUGE news! In a first-ever human clinical trial of four adult patients, an mRNA cancer vaccine developed at the University of Florida quickly reprogrammed the immune system to attack glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor.

Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️ The results mirror those in 10 pet dog patients suffering from naturally occurring brain tumors whose owners approved of their participation, as they had no other treatment options, as well as results from preclinical mouse models. The breakthrough now will be tested in a Phase
May 2 15 tweets 5 min read
HOW COOL IS THIS? A virus (yes, you read that correctly) could help save BILLIONS of gallons of wastewater produced by fracking. Researchers at UTEP have identified a novel means of treating resilient bacteria found in produced water: Bacteriophages!

Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️ Bacteriophages attacking a bacterial cell. You can find the study here:


An estimated 168 billion gallons of wastewater -or produced water- is generated annually by the Permian Basin fracking industry, according to a 2022 report by the Texas Produced Water Consortium.dx.doi.org/10.3390/w16060…
Apr 20 15 tweets 4 min read
HOW COOL IS THIS? For the FIRST time in ONE BILLION years, two lifeforms have truly merged into one organism. In a new study, researchers report that a nitrogen-fixing organelle has been identified in a marine alga. Meet the Nitroplast! Let’s talk about that! 🧵⬇️ A light microscopy image shows the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which is a potentially large evolutionary step. This algae absorbed a bacterium called UCYN-A and formed a new organelle called a nitroplast. The black arrow is pointing to the nitroplast. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary transition from endosymbiont to organelle. A team of scientists have detected a sign of a major life event that has likely not occurred for at least one billion years. They’ve observed primary endosymbiosis–two lifeforms merging into
Apr 16 13 tweets 4 min read
This is HUGE news! MV140, a sublingual vaccine developed to prevent UTIs, showed REMARKABLE success and prevented recurring UTIs for nearly a DECADE. The vaccine not only reduced risk but also enabled a significant number of participants to be completely UTI-free!🧵⬇️ MV140 (Uromune®, Inmunotek S.L., Spain) is a polyvalent bacterial whole-cell-based sublingual vaccine that has been developed for the prevention of UTIs and is currently in Phase 3 development “pre-licensing” trials in 26 countries worldwide, including the UK, New Zealand,
Apr 6 15 tweets 7 min read
Guys. Heads up. Let’s talk about H5N1. There have been SEVERAL bad takes and BLATANT misinformation circulating regarding this strain of bird flu so I figured it was a good idea to make a thread about it. Stay calm. Stay vigilant. Know your facts. Here’s ALL you need to know.🧵⬇️ First things first. Let’s address the elephant in the room. It is IMPORTANT to stress the risk to the public still remains LOW. So far, the virus does not appear to have mutated in a way that would make it significantly more dangerous. While concerning, the one human case,
Feb 29 15 tweets 5 min read
How Vaccines Work 🧬🧫🦠🔬💉🥽
(Everyone Should Watch This) Animation Credit: 幾加乘 @bilibili_en

Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
Jan 18 13 tweets 5 min read
This is HUGE news! An investigational vaccine, ELI-002, appears to be effective in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic AND colorectal cancer, according to Phase I study results. FURTHERMORE, T-cell response correlated with an 86% REDUCTION in risk of relapse or death.🧵⬇️ This research has been published in Nature. You can find it here:


✅ Highly respected journal
✅ Expert written journal
✅ Peer reviewed journalnature.com/articles/s4159…
Jan 14 4 tweets 1 min read
I want to address some FAQs that have found their way into my DMs as of late:

1. Yes, I’m “that furry” that helped work on the COVID-19 vaccines. I still do-amongst other vaccines!

2. No, you’re not dreaming.

3. Rude messages and/or snide comments will be ignored. Thank you! And no, this is in no way meant to seem like gloating. Gloating isn’t good as is and never would it be in the circumstances of a devastating pandemic. I’m just tired of the “You’re a furry?” and some nasty name calling or threats. Like, yes I am. Get over it and have a good day.
Dec 20, 2023 15 tweets 5 min read
Science Rules! 🧬🧫🦠🔬💉🥼🥽 Image 🎨: @JJENIAC

Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
Dec 14, 2023 13 tweets 4 min read
So, not COVID related but, this is REALLY exciting news. Midstage trial results show Moderna’s cancer vaccine mRNA-4157 in combination with Merck’s KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of death or relapse in patients with melanoma by HALF after roughly THREE years! Let’s talk about that! 🧵 KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE RESULTS THAT HAVE HELD UP AFTER THREE YEARS showing that benefits demonstrated a year ago have held up over time. That is ASTOUNDING.

Phase 2b randomized KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study, a clinical trial evaluating mRNA-4157 (V940), an investigational
Dec 5, 2023 13 tweets 5 min read
HOW COOL IS THIS?! Scientists have created tiny biological robots called “Anthrobots” that can move across a surface and have been found to encourage the growth of neurons across a region of damage in a lab dish. These may one day be able to help heal wounds or damaged tissue! 🧵 A colored image shows the multicellular structure of an anthrobot, surrounded by cilia on its surface, enabling it to move and explore its environment. The multicellular robots, ranging in size from the width of a human hair to the point of a sharpened pencil, were made to self-assemble and shown to have a remarkable healing effect on other cells. The discovery is a starting point for the researchers’ vision to use patient- Each anthrobot grows from a single cell.
Oct 4, 2023 13 tweets 4 min read
HOW COOL IS THIS? Ever wonder how killer T-cells attack cancer cells? This is a high resolution/rapid acquisition video of a cytotoxic (killer) T- cell (red) attacking a Lymphoma cancer cell (blue) captured on a specialized Lattice Light Sheet microscope. Science Rules! Source: Cambridge University
•Killer T-Cell: The Cancer Assassin
Sep 29, 2023 13 tweets 3 min read
I aspire to exude as much confidence as this little Kinesin protein strutting along a microtubule while hauling intracellular cargo.

Look at that little guy go! This actual animation dates back to 2006, when it was published by a pair of Harvard University researchers working with an artist and animator named John Liebler. Together, the trio took several years to produce a dramatized 3D modeling of internal cellular function titled
Sep 12, 2023 8 tweets 1 min read
Good Morning!

Here Is All You NEED TO KNOW About The New COVID-19 Booster Shots Planned for This Month.

Thank You For Reading! 🧵⬇️ Image @LaurieADen As in they can get up to three updated vaccines. They don’t go back to the older ones.