From Futurism · Frank Landymore · · 50s
Biologists Turn Motel Room into Lab After Trump Funding Cuts
Biologists made a key discovery in a motel room after losing Trump-era funding.
In brief
Biologists made a key discovery in a motel room after losing Trump-era funding. Biologists discovered two new Paulinella species in a motel lab after Trump's funding cuts. Originally reported by Futurism.
Trump Funding Cuts
Biologists lost federal research funding after Trump's 2025 memo froze federal science grants.
Motel Lab Discovery
Van Etten and her team made a breakthrough finding two new Paulinella species in a motel room lab.
Paulinella's Significance
Paulinella shows how a single-celled organism absorbed photosynthetic bacteria 1.5 billion years ago.
Recent Evolutionary Event
Paulinella experienced a photosynthetic merger 100 million years ago, unlike the ancient event.
Syracuse Biologist's View
Angela Oliverio, a Syracuse University biologist, called Paulinella a 'snapshot' of the evolutionary process.
“It’s really amazing to me, this represents the only other case right now of where this chance evolutionary event occurred.”
Funding Impact
Van Etten lost her $60,000 NSF fellowship after Trump's 2025 funding freeze.
What to remember
Biologists discovered two new Paulinella species in a motel lab after Trump's funding cuts.
