Spectrum: Autism Research News

The protein, FMRP, shapes cell signaling near synapses but switches to regulate genes in the cell body, according to new research.

A researcher and science officer give tips for getting started with grant writing; scientists on Twitter explain why they went tenure-track; and a neurobiologist discusses why the field’s next generation needs to learn to code.

Infection during pregnancy can tweak a mouse’s gut microbiome in ways that have lasting effects on her pups’ immune system and increase their chances of gut inflammation, a new study suggests.

Loss of the POGZ gene in mice makes certain genes inaccessible and prevents their expression.

Most working scientists aren’t optimistic about their career prospects, according to a Nature survey; expecting passion may be detrimental in academia; and there are new funding opportunities on the horizon, with upcoming deadlines.

Mice missing a copy of the gene SENP1 have atypical social behavior likely due to a signaling imbalance in the retrosplenial cortex.

Model mice of the subtype also show hyperactivity in a signaling pathway called mTOR, bolstering the idea that distinct forms of autism have different biological roots and may require different treatment approaches.

The work fills in gaps about how synapses change before and after birth — essential knowledge for understanding whether synapse development differs in autism.

An online community is helping many new principal investigators through a tricky time, plus other resources for early-career autism researchers.

These short reports from Spectrum journalists highlight some of the autism-related findings that caught our attention at the meeting this past week.