Cell论文遭曝20幅图作假，引发学术界震动

2019年10月3日，加州大学圣地亚哥分校Brenda L. Bloodgood团队（G. Stefano Brigidi为第一作者）在Cell在线发表题为“Genomic Decoding of Neuronal Depolarization by Stimulus-Specific NPAS4 Heterodimers”的研究论文，该研究表明，小鼠海马神经元中的ap和EPSPs触发两种空间分离和分子不同的诱导机制，导致ITF NPAS4的表达。这两种途径最终形成刺激特异性NPAS4异源二聚体，表现出不同的DNA结合模式。

因此，NPAS4在神经元的尖峰输出和对细胞核的突触输入中进行了不同的交流，使基因调控能够根据神经元的躯体-树突轴上的去极化活动类型进行调整。

但是，在2024年4月，G. Stefano Brigidi被研究诚信办公室(ORI)通报：ORI发现G. Stefano Brigidi故意或有意伪造和/或捏造数据和结果，通过操纵主要数据值来错误地增加n-value，从而从事研究不端行为。操纵荧光显微图及其定量图以增强ITFs在小鼠海马神经元中的作用，和/或操纵通过不同实验条件获得的共聚焦图像，这些图像来自一篇已发表论文（Cell）的二十(20)张图和四(4)份PHS基金申请，一(1)张海报的一(1)张面板，以及一(1)份演示文稿的七(7)张幻灯片：

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的研究将从2024年3月24日开始接受为期五(5)年的监督。在ORI批准该监督计划之前，G. Stefano Brigidi将不会参与任何PHS支持的研究。在监督期间，G. Stefano Brigidi将自愿排除自己以任何顾问或职务的身份服务于PHS，包括但不限于服务于PHS的任何咨询委员会、董事会和/或同行评审委员会。G. Stefano Brigidi将会被要求撤回/更正Cell文章。