Rob Johnson

Interested in brains, behavior, and biological intelligence. Group Leader at HHMI Janelia Research Campus.

[Lilach Avitan @LilachAvitan]

How do animals stay precise when their whole brain heats up or cools down? Larval zebrafish hunt accurately across a 10°C range. What enables such stability? What mechanism might support it? #zebrafish #neuroscience #temperature @STishbyTamari @ELSCbrain https://t.co/yO5BIKC4Aq

[Reece Keller @rdkeller]

1/ I'm excited to share recent results from my first collaboration with the amazing @aran_nayebi and @Leokoz8!

We show how autonomous behavior and whole-brain dynamics emerge in embodied agents with intrinsic motivation driven by world models.

[Google DeepMind @GoogleDeepMind]

We built an AI model to simulate how a fruit fly walks, flies and behaves – in partnership with @HHMIJanelia. 🪰

Our computerized insect replicates realistic motion, and can even use its eyes to control its actions.

Here’s how we developed it – and what it means for science. 🧵

[Omar Abudayyeh @omarabudayyeh]

EVOLVEpro, our general AI model for protein engineering, is now out in Science!

We show the ability to design and evolve dozens of unique proteins to have up to 500 times more activity or function using a combination of LLMs and regression models. 🧵👇

https://t.co/biukeo5qLK

[Laura Grima @LauraGrimaNeuro]

The first preprint of my postdoc with @jtdudman
is now online! Here we wanted to understand the algorithms mice use when learning to forage in large environments with many potential resources. 1/n https://t.co/2LHb6TMnbr

[Stephen Zhang @StephenXZhang]

I am thrilled to share the published version of our study on how neuropeptide signals regulate feeding in the hypothalamus! We imaged endogenous peptide signals in subcellular compartments during behavior. Below is an updated summary: https://t.co/ONFDccZXc5

[Mohamady El-Gaby @GabyMohamady]

“Where was I again?”
Our study published today https://t.co/SssPQUDv7l reveals brain cells can form a coordinate system for our behaviours. Instead of locating where we are in the world, this coordinate system tells us “where we are” in a sequence of behaviours: 🧵below:

[Mackenzie Weygandt Mathis, PhD @TrackingActions]

Job alert 🚨: I’m looking for a creative, ambitious, and dedicated postdoc to join me on this quest; so many exciting questions about how cortex and sub cortical structures (including spinal cord) drive adaptive motor control.

Large scale 2P (limited labs 🌎 have this tech), plus we have large scale Neuropixels tech (8 probes anyone?)… plus my lab has excellent computational students/postdocs and we work as a team 💪🚀

Please email me (CV & cover letter including why the line of work the paper outlines is a good fit with you profile).

[Loïc A. Royer 💻🔬⚗️ @loicaroyer]

🚨Big news! Five years in the making, our Zebrahub paper is now published in #Cell 🎉. We’ve built a timecourse atlas of zebrafish embryonic development, combining #scRNAseq data and #lightsheet live imaging, and delved deep into the dynamics of key progenitors.
https://t.co/mItTD6clYv

Explore the datasets here:
https://t.co/F7bhDmfDJD

Led by @Merlin_Lange with key contributions by @ale_agranados, @Shruthi94Vijay, @jobragantini, @Sarah_E_Ancheta and @yangjoonkim

#zebrahub #devbio #cell #Biology #imaging @CellCellPress @czbbiohub #CZBiohubS

[Niko McCarty. @NikoMcCarty]

Scientists made a robotic system that tracks honey bees 24 hours a day.

Cameras track the queen and individual drones, while algorithms track their movements, egg layings, grooming interactions, and more.

Really cool.

[HHMI | Janelia @HHMIJanelia]

Congratulations to Research Scientist Igor Siwanowicz: 1 honorable mention & 2 images of distinction in the 2024 #NikonSmallWorld competition!

Antenna of a mole crab(L), aster anther cross section w/pollen grains(Top R) & floret of common chicory w/pollen grains @NikonSmallWorld

[Aran Nayebi @aran_nayebi]

I'll be giving a talk @SfNtweets this Wednesday 1:45 pm on our Mental Simulation work (TL;DR below👇), at the Computational Models nanosymposium. Full schedule here: https://t.co/18nOrBQ8iO

[Alexander Mathis @TrackingPlumes]

How does the brain control the numerous muscles of the body? Let's say you want to rotate two balls in your hand, how does your brain achieve that?

Read our article in @NeuroCellPress to learn more!
https://t.co/22vMq0HSdp

[HHMI @hhmi_science]

🌿 Welcome to HHMI’s Beautiful Biology!

Explore hidden beauty in the biological world with these stunning images. From a fungus cross-section to the early stages of a flower, the natural world has never looked so fascinating!

Explore more: https://t.co/daOvcWxt5M

[HHMI @hhmi_science]

🚨 New from HHMI: Beautiful Biology 🚨

A visual journey into the microscopic world, showcasing biology’s hidden beauty. Discover stunning images from cutting-edge research paired with science-backed insights.

Dive into the unseen: https://t.co/daOvcWxt5M ✨

[Janelia Conferences @janeliaconf]

📢 Applications are open!

Join colleagues to discuss the latest in #cognitiveneuroscience, identify emerging principles of cognition and explore approaches for new insights @HHMIJanelia.

@HHMINews

Learn more + apply by Nov. 21 @ https://t.co/pTnPdJXWMp

[SWC @SWC_Neuro]

Applications now open! Join the SWC PhD Programme 2025

🧠 World-class training in systems neuroscience
💰 Fully-funded 4-year programme
💂 Based in London with close links to @GatsbyUCL

Learn more and apply by 11 Nov: https://t.co/8g0atYhP2g

#PhD #Neuroscience

[Steffen Wolff @SBE_Wolff]

The Wolff Lab is looking for a #Postdoc for a NIH-funded project to study how distinct learning systems interact.
Catch me at SfN or reach out via email if you are interested!
#Neurojobs #AcademicJobs

[Nacho Sanguinetti🥸 @neuroetho]

🚨 student job alert 🚨 Excited to post my first ad for the lab looking for a Research Specialist @PennSAS ( RA or Lab manager open to both profiles). Neuro of flexible behaviors, play in the lab, wild rodents in Panama! Please share! RT https://t.co/tUU7olraNw and

[Ching Fang (chingfang.bsky.social) @chingfang17]

New work with @Jack_W_Lindsey, Larry Abbott, Dmitriy Aronov, and @selmaanchettih! We propose a model of episodic memory where memories are bound to “barcode” activity patterns, enabling precise and flexible memory.
https://t.co/5fth544FS2