Cell論文遭曝20幅圖作假，引發學術界震動

2019年10月3日，加州大學圣地亞哥分校Brenda L. Bloodgood團隊（G. Stefano Brigidi為第一作者）在Cell在線發表題為“Genomic Decoding of Neuronal Depolarization by Stimulus-Specific NPAS4 Heterodimers”的研究論文，該研究表明，小鼠海馬神經元中的ap和EPSPs觸發兩種空間分離和分子不同的誘導機制，導致ITF NPAS4的表達。這兩種途徑最終形成刺激特異性NPAS4異源二聚體，表現出不同的DNA結合模式。

因此，NPAS4在神經元的尖峰輸出和對細胞核的突觸輸入中進行了不同的交流，使基因調控能夠根據神經元的軀體-樹突軸上的去極化活動類型進行調整。

但是，在2024年4月，G. Stefano Brigidi被研究誠信辦公室(ORI)通報：ORI發現G. Stefano Brigidi故意或有意偽造和/或捏造數據和結果，通過操縱主要數據值來錯誤地增加n-value，從而從事研究不端行為。操縱熒光顯微圖及其定量圖以增強ITFs在小鼠海馬神經元中的作用，和/或操縱通過不同實驗條件獲得的共聚焦圖像，這些圖像來自一篇已發表論文（Cell）的二十(20)張圖和四(4)份PHS基金申請，一(1)張海報的一(1)張面板，以及一(1)份演示文稿的七(7)張幻燈片：

Genomic Decoding of Neuronal Depolarization by Stimulus-Specific NPAS4 Heterodimers. Cell. 2019 Oct 3;179(2):373-391.e27. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.09.004 (hereafter referred to as “Cell 2019”).

Genomic mechanisms linking neuronal activity history with present and future functions. Poster for “The Brigidi Lab – a neuronal activity lab in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Utah” (hereafter referred to as the “UU Department of Neurobiology poster”).

Decoding neural circuit stimuli into spatially organized gene regulation. Presentation presented to the UU Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy on January 23, 2020 (hereafter referred to as “UU Department of Neurobiology presentation”).

DP2 NS127276-01, “Decoding neuronal activity history at the genome through the spatially segregated inducible transcription factors,” submitted to NINDS, NIH, on August 20, 2020, Awarded Project Dates: September 15, 2021-August 1, 2023.

F32 MH110141-01, “Regulation of excitatory-inhibitory balance by the local translation of the immediate early gene Npas4,” submitted to NIMH, NIH, on August 10, 2015.

F32 MH110141-01A1, “Regulation of Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance by Local Translation of the Immediate Early Gene Npas4,” submitted to NIMH, NIH, on December 8, 2015, Awarded Project Dates: August 1, 2016-July 31, 2018.

F32 MH110141-01A1S1, “Regulation of Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance by Local Translation of the Immediate Early Gene Npas4,” submitted to NIMH, NIH, on December 8, 2016, Awarded Project Dates: December 1, 2016-July 31, 2017.

G. Stefano Brigidi的研究將從2024年3月24日開始接受為期五(5)年的監督。在ORI批準該監督計劃之前，G. Stefano Brigidi將不會參與任何PHS支持的研究。在監督期間，G. Stefano Brigidi將自愿排除自己以任何顧問或職務的身份服務于PHS，包括但不限于服務于PHS的任何咨詢委員會、董事會和/或同行評審委員會。G. Stefano Brigidi將會被要求撤回/更正Cell文章。