Isabella Backman

@izzybackman.bsky.social

Senior Science Writer and Editor at Yale School of Medicine and freelance science journalist

A new study has discovered that brains of autistic people have fewer of a receptor for glutamate, the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. The findings could help explain various characteristics linked to autism. @j-mcpartland.bsky.social medicine.yale.edu/news-article...

Researchers Discover Molecular Difference in Autistic Brains

Brains of autistic individuals have fewer of a specific kind of glutamate receptor, supporting an idea that autism is driven by a signaling imbalance.

medicine.yale.edu

In a 1.3 billion dollar deal, Merck acquired Modifi Bio last fall. I cover one research team's journey to develop a novel drug for glioblastoma, and a young patient who inspired the team to push forward even when on the verge of running out of funding. medicine.yale.edu/news-article...

For Families Battling Brain Cancer, New Treatment Brings Hope

A Yale spinout developed a new drug for treatment-resistant glioblastomas that could reach patients as soon as next year.

medicine.yale.edu

A team of 38 scientists from around the world have come together to call for a global discussion about the unprecedented risks that mirror bacteria. I spoke with immunobiologist Ruslan Medzhitov to learn more about this emerging threat. Check out the Q&A here medicine.yale.edu/news-article...

Q&A: How ‘Mirror Bacteria’ Could Take a Devastating Toll on Humanity

Scientists are raising alarms about the potential risks of “mirror bacteria,” synthetic organisms composed of reversed molecular structures that could

medicine.yale.edu