News

New Special Journal Issue Showcases Transformational Potential of AI in Alzheimer’s Research 

The Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative and Gates Ventures commissioned a special collection of essays on the impact artificial intelligence is having on Alzheimer’s research, and the ways in which it could dramatically accelerate progress in fighting the disease. The collection features two editorials and nine essays from leading scientists in eight countries who are using machine learning to advance Alzheimer’s research.

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Uncovering a New Genetic Code in Microbes Opens Doors for New Bioengineering Applications 

Researchers at the Innovative Genomics Institute, with collaborators from several other institutions, published a paper identifying a newly discovered genetic code present in certain archaea, a type of single-celled organism. These findings have significant implications for researchers’ understanding of methane cycles and may help scientists to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or create new proteins useful in medicine and biotechnology.

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Hertz Foundation Celebrates 2025 Graduating Hertz Fellows 

The Hertz Foundation recognized the 2025 graduates of its fellowship in applied science, mathematics and engineering. With the support of the Hertz Fellowship, the graduates have advanced study in biology, neuroscience, energy, mathematics, and a breadth of other scientific and technical fields.

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Archive

IMI Fest 2025: Wrapped 

The Independent Media Initiative held its third annual IMI Fest in Austin, TX. At the festival the 2025 IMI Award winners were honored, as were the winners of the Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube. The festival featured panels and roundtable discussions, bringing together a diverse group of independent creators, educators, and artists. READ MORE

Serendipity and Synapses: How a part-time job unlocked a passion for brain-mapping  

Shanahan Foundation Fellow Sven Dorkenwald, Ph.D., opens up about how he began investigating the connections between neurons in the brain, and the path that brought him to playing a key role in one of the most ambitious neurology experiments ever attempted. In this profile he talks about how the fellowship at the Allen Institute has given him the freedom to pursue unique research avenues while connecting him with mentors who have helped to launch his academic career. READ MORE

World’s first patient treated with personalized CRISPR gene editing therapy through CHOP and Penn Med collaboration 

A collaboration between Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania has led to a child who was born with a rare metabolic disease becoming the first patient to be successfully treated using individually customized CRISPR-based gene editing therapy. This historic breakthrough may pave the way for gene editing technology to be adapted to treat more individuals with rare genetic diseases. READ MORE

Independent Media Initiative Announces IMI Fest 2025 

IMI Fest brings together independent media creators, educators, and industry professionals for a two-day celebration of creativity, discovery, and innovation. The event will also feature the presentation of the 2025 IMI Awards, honoring six of the most innovative creators in independent media. This year’s fest will be held November 14-15 in Austin, Texas. READ MORE

NeuroAI in France!

Ryan Raut, a graduating Shanahan Foundation Fellow at the Interface of Data and Neuroscience, joined a cohort of neuroscience PhD students from around the US on a trip to France to visit labs and connect with scientists working in NeuroAI. The visits are part of the Embassy of France in the United States’ French-American Doctoral Exchange Program and are supported by the Allen Institute and the NSF’s Accelnet program. READ MORE

Science Misinformation, Its Origins and Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies Examined in New Report 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have released a report on science misinformation, providing advice to scientific institutions and communicators on how to mitigate its spread. The committee behind the study also called for further research into misinformation beyond its impact on individuals, to understand how it can be addressed by systems at the community and societal levels. READ MORE

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) invests $10M in Alamar Biosciences, Inc. to Advance Precision Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease 

ADDF’s Diagnostic’s Accelerator has made its largest investment to date, investing $10M in Alamar Biosciences, Inc. The investment supports development of Alamar’s ARGO DX platform, which combines ultra-high sensitivity blood testing with the ability to test for multiple targets at once. The goal is to create a scalable and accessible blood panel to test for biomarkers of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. READ MORE