🔬AKAP11 is one of the strongest risk genes identified for #BipolarDisorder. The protein it encodes interacts with GSK3β, a proposed target of lithium. Connections like this could deepen our understanding of bipolar disorder and help inform more targeted treatments. ▶️ bit.ly/3SiTBnj

🧠📈Great to see the BD² community at the 2026 NYC Neuromodulation Conference—sharing ideas, connecting across the field, and bringing our neuromodulation teams together. @foxmdphd.bsky.social @umnbme.bsky.social @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social @weillcornell.bsky.social @sinaibrain.bsky.social

🧬 1,500 participants. 12 sites. Whole-genome sequencing underway. BD²’s Integrated Network combines genetic, clinical, and real-world data to advance research and outcomes for people with #BipolarDisorder. Hear from Cara Altimus, PhD, & Benjamin Neale, PhD, on The Genetics Podcast: bit.ly/3SiTBnj

⏰ One week left to apply for the BD² Data Science Fellowship. Postdocs can apply for up to $125,000 per year over two years to analyze existing BD² datasets and advance data-driven #BipolarDisorder research. Apply by July 31: bit.ly/4ajk768

🚀 We’re hiring a Director of Partnerships to build BD²’s development program and help fuel breakthrough discoveries in bipolar disorder research. We’re looking for an exceptional leader to shape our strategy, grow our community, and scale our impact. 🔗 Apply: bit.ly/3TaXrQ4

🧬 Applications are open for the BD² Data Science Fellowship. Postdocs can apply for up to $125,000 per year over two years to analyze existing BD² datasets and advance data-driven #BipolarDisorder research. Apply by July 31: bit.ly/4ajk768

🧠 BD² PI @ignaciosaezphd.bsky.social and his team are using deep brain stimulation and epilepsy-based brain recordings to better understand the circuits that drive mood changes in bipolar disorder. The more we learn about these circuits, the closer we get to treatments tailored to brain biology.

📊 A breakthrough method in genetic sequencing With support from BD², scientists at the Broad Institute developed the Blended Genome Exome (BGE), a low-cost genome sequencing method that delivers high quality genetic data. Read the paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

A blended genome and exome sequencing method captures genetic variation in an unbiased and cost-effective manner - Nature Genetics

Blended genome exome (BGE) is a sequencing method that captures genetic variation in an unbiased and cost-effective manner. Applying BGE to sequence samples from underrepresented populations leads to ...

nature.com

🔬 BD² Lead PI Ziad Nahas, MD, MSCR, and his team at @umnbme.bsky.social are using advanced tools to better understand the individual neurobiological patterns that underlie mood episodes. This precision matters for diagnosis, prediction, and ultimately, more personalized care.

📬Want to stay updated with all things BD²? Never miss a funding opportunity or scientific finding with our Thrive Updates Newsletter: www.bipolardiscoveries.org/newsletter-s...

Thrive Updates

bipolardiscoveries.org

Siloed data limits what we can learn. Real progress in bipolar research comes from integration — aligned data collection, collaboration across teams, and transparent public release. 🔗 www.bipolardiscoveries.org/our-work/data-release ▶️ bit.ly/4cJpyMk

BD² is connecting longitudinal research with clinical care to advance precision medicine for bipolar disorder. @dr-altimusprime.bsky.social and @emilybaxi.bsky.social joined the Empowered Patient Podcast to discuss BD²’s data release, longitudinal cohort study, and more. 🎧: bit.ly/3SmB8GB

Accelerating Bipolar Disorder Research to Transform Diagnosis and Treatments with Cara Altimus and Emily Baxi BD2

Podcast Episode · Empowered Patient Podcast · June 18 · 22m

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🔬 What does bipolar disorder research look like from inside a Learning Health Network? Watch Michigan Medicine’s “Inside the Study” webinar to hear researchers, clinicians, and participants discuss the BD² Integrated Network and its work to improve diagnosis and treatment. ▶️: bit.ly/4flWKfL

Inside the Study

The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program presents "Inside the Study" featuring research and lived experience experts, Dr. Kelly Ryan, Christine Grimm, N.P., Dr. Alexandra Vinson, and Sarah, and moderated by Jack DiCarlantonio. This webinar highlights the BD²: Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder research study. In 2023, the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program was named as one of the six inaugural institutions in the BD² Integrated Network to engage people living with bipolar disorder in a long-term research study and build a rich database to better understand the condition, its treatment, and to support improvements in care. The BD² Integrated Network has since expanded its clinical sites to 11 institutions across the United States and Canada. Along with the long-term studies and databases, the BD² Integrated Network sites are working together to design and implement a Learning Health Network (LHN) for bipolar disorder. Learn more about the background of the Prechter Program’s role in the BD²: Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder study, what participation is like, what the team is finding so far, and more. Learn more: - Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program: https://medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/prechter-program - BD²: Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder: https://medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/prechter-program/research/breakthrough-discoveries-thriving-bipolar-disorder - BD² Integrated Network: https://www.bipolardiscoveries.org/our-work/integrated-network/

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🧬 Genetic discovery is transforming our understanding of bipolar disorder. Now, it’s about translating that knowledge into better care. On The Genetics Podcast, Cara Altimus & Benjamin Neale discuss how genetics + longitudinal data can drive more precise diagnosis & treatment. 🎧 bit.ly/3SiTBnj

We believe science moves faster when barriers come down. BD² is proud to endorse @asapbio.bsky.social’s Preprint Policy Framework to advance a new way of communicating scientific research, accelerate open science, and connect discovery to care. 🔗 asapbio.org/preprint-pol...

Advancing Openly Licensed Preprints: Aligning Across A Standard Preprints Policy Framework – ASAPbio

asapbio.org

🧠 “By releasing these data to the public, we can massively expand the capacity to generate insights—beyond any single investigator or network.” — Katherine Burdick, PhD, on the BD² Integrated Network data release 🧬Explore the release: bit.ly/4vLaaHO ▶️Watch more: bit.ly/4cJpyMk

Matthew Woodworth, a member of Team Tam (@jennymtam.bsky.social), shares how lived experience and a fascination with brain organoids inform his work to better understand bipolar disorder. His story underscores why open conversation, empathy, and research all matter. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/4nXO95f

The Wyss Institute at Harvard University@wyssinstitute.bsky.social · 2mo ago

For #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we sat down with Research Assistant Matthew Woodworth to discuss his personal and professional background, how that informs his work on the CircaVent project, and the positive impact he hopes his work can have on patients and their families.

🧬 New: BD² Data Science Fellowship BD² is accepting applications for postdocs using data science to generate new insights from existing BD² datasets. New funding is available to support up to 8 fellowships advancing #BipolarDisorder research. Apply by July 31: bit.ly/4ajk768

We’re growing 🌱 Hiring a Science Communications Manager to help shape BD²’s voice and translate complex bipolar disorder research into clear, compelling stories. This role spans content strategy, science translation, digital channels, researcher engagement, & media support. Apply: bit.ly/3PQYa7F

Women’s health is essential to understanding #BipolarDisorder. For International Day of Action for Women’s Health, hear from BD²’s Women’s Health Workgroup on reproductive transitions, research gaps, and more equitable care. 🎬 bit.ly/49VDsu0

BD² Discovery Research Program Director Daniel Pham, PhD, recently spoke at the NCI Center for Cancer Research Fellows and Young Investigators Colloquium. He discussed his career journey and the opportunities for early-career researchers at philanthropic organizations.

Progress in mental health research requires better data, deeper understanding, and care shaped by lived experience. Through the Integrated Network, BD² participants are helping advance patient-centered bipolar disorder care. 🔗 Explore our first dataset bit.ly/4tF5f9N #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

📚 Philanthropic funding, strategic collaboration, and real-time data sharing help BD² move #BipolarDisorder research forward faster. Read more from @dr-altimusprime.bsky.social’s conversation with Paul Karon from Inside Philanthropy:

Inside Philanthropy@insidephilanthropy.com · 3mo ago

The BD2 initiative has been assembling an international network to coordinate research and standards of care. Backers include Sergey Brin and Dalio Philanthropies. Paul Karon Reports: tinyurl.com/467unduf #MentalHealth #Philanthropy #BipolarDisorder #Neuroscience #MedicalResearch #Science

💡BD² is redefining collaborative mental health science—with philanthropy driving connection, discovery, and real-world impact grounded in lived experience. CEO Cara Altimus, PhD, spoke with Inside Philanthropy about how this model is advancing progress toward better care: tinyurl.com/mjunfss9

Inside a Megadonor-Backed Funder’s Fight to Treat Bipolar Disorder

The BD2 initiative has been assembling an international network to coordinate research and standards of care. Backers include Sergey Brin and Dalio Philanthropies.

tinyurl.com

Charles Lynch, PhD, and the BD² Discovery team at @weillcornell.bsky.social, in collaboration with @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social, are leveraging individualized brain imaging to map circuits and inform targeted interventions in #bipolardisorder.

We’re growing our team 🌱 Hiring a PhD/postdoc-level intern to support program ops and research coordination across a global bipolar disorder research network. From meeting prep and grant tracking to decks and newsletters, you’ll turn complex science into clear, actionable work. 🔗: bit.ly/4tlBaLO

📊 We’re sharing the largest multi‑modal psychiatric dataset—built across 6 sites with shared standards, aligned protocols & rigorous QA. The result: trusted, accessible data ready to drive new discoveries and collaborations. 🔗 www.bipolardiscoveries.org/our-work/dat...

🔍 What’s driving momentum in bipolar disorder research? At BD²’s poster session, researchers shared how studying bipolar disorder more deeply and collaboratively helps link science with real patient experience. That connection is what’s accelerating discovery. 🎥

Mental health is brain health. In STAT, Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, BD² Discoveries Scientific Chair, and colleagues argue that the divide between psychiatric & neurological conditions is a mistake and limits progress. Earlier, integrated approaches are key to improving lives. 🔗 bit.ly/4eLTg5S

“It’s not just about investing in bipolar research—it’s about improving care and building a community.” — @dr-altimusprime.bsky.social, PhD BD² is expanding access to data to spark ideas and drive impact for people with bipolar disorder. 📺: bit.ly/4cJpyMk