Isabel Ruehl is a former editorial intern at Spectrum. She recently graduated from Columbia Journalism School and, before that, earned an M.Phil. in Health, Medicine and Society from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
![Headshot of Isabel Ruehl.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ruehl_Isabel-crop-Cropped.jpg)
Isabel Ruehl
Former news intern
Spectrum
From this contributor
‘Science working as it should’: Autism blood signature study earns open post-publication review
Shortly after the study’s publication, experts critiqued it on PubPeer and other online platforms.
![Several people stand around a comments box that is dispensing speech bubbles in a futuristic digital landscape.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-pubpeer-lede.jpg)
‘Science working as it should’: Autism blood signature study earns open post-publication review
Whole-genome trove ties new genes, variants to autism
A massive update to the MSSNG dataset gives qualified researchers ready access to explore autism’s genetic architecture on a cloud-based platform.
![An illustration of doctors examining a larger-than-life DNA strand](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844_MSSNG_121122.jpg)
Whole-genome trove ties new genes, variants to autism
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
![A map of England displaying autism incidence.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844-lede-autism-incidence.png)
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
‘Assembloids’ lay bare autism-linked genes that hamper neuron development
The model enables the study of autism-linked genes at the earliest stages of neural development.
![Image displaying impeded interneuron development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-assembloids-autism-linked-genes-neuron-development.png)
‘Assembloids’ lay bare autism-linked genes that hamper neuron development
Lab-grown ‘embryoids’ offer new window into gene-trait relationships
The developmental models have advantages over natural embryos and other synthetic models, such as organoids, but present technical and ethical challenges.
![Image of a synthetic mouse embryo.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/844-synthetic-mouse-embryo-lede.png)
Lab-grown ‘embryoids’ offer new window into gene-trait relationships
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.