Αlpha¹

Issue 5

April 14, 20265 ArticlesAlpha¹ Editorial

Top 1% Preprint this week: GIFT, Long COVID, and Bat Limbs!

Intranasal Anti-CD3 Antibody Treatment for Post-COVID Neuroinflammation

Summary

In a mouse model of Long COVID brain fog, a nasal squirt of anti-CD3 antibody acts like an immune reset button—even weeks after infection. It dampens cranky microglia, boosts neuron birth in the hippocampus, and sharpens memory.

Community Discussion

Shared by immunologist Prof. Akiko Iwasaki (@VirusesImmunity) as lead senior author. Generated buzz among Long COVID researchers for its therapeutic potential. Praised for the elegant mouse model and timely implications

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GIFT: Scalable Genotyping in Fixed Transcriptomes for Clonal Heterogeneity

Summary

GIFT genotypes hundreds of mutations while reading the full transcriptome from fixed single cells. It's like giving old FFPE samples a high-tech DNA barcode upgrade, revealing how mutant clones drive inflammation in blood cancers.

Community Discussion

Posted by PI Caleb Lareau (@CalebLareau) with co-authors from MSKCC and 10x Genomics. Drew excitement from single-cell and cancer genomics communities for scalability and clonal tracing power

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Comparative Genomics of Bat and Mouse Limb Development

Summary

Enhancers and gene expression tweaks explain how tiny rodent limbs morph into bat wings. A developmental genetics crossover highlighting evolution's tinkering at the DNA level.

Community Discussion

Shared by Aki Ushiki (@AkiUshiki) from a multi-lab collaboration including Nadav Ahituv's group. Earned praise from evo-devo enthusiasts for the enhancer insights and visuals

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Force Transmission Balance Determines Multicellular Handedness

Summary

Cells decide their collective "lefty or righty" through a tug-of-war of forces at adhesions. Cell-cell and cell-substrate pulls together determine which way the whole tissue twists.

Community Discussion

Posted by Tomoki Ishibashi (@TomokiIshibashi) with a video/gif. Sparked interest among mechanobiology and biophysics communities for the elegant experimental + theoretical approach

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Imaging Flow Cytometry for Platelet-Monocyte Aggregates in Long COVID

Summary

A new high-res flow cytometry method detects sticky platelet-monocyte clumps that fuel clotting and inflammation in Long COVID. Broadly applicable to any post-viral thrombo-inflammatory condition.

Community Discussion

Shared by Resia Pretorius (@resiapretorius) with co-author Douglas Kell. Drew attention from coagulation and Long COVID researchers for the method's versatility

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