Neuroscientist Faked Data

A researcher who studied neurodegenerative diseases made up results from experiments yet to take place in order to apply for more funds.

Written byDan Cossins
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

FLICKR, STEAKPINBALLPaul Muchowski, a neuroscientist formerly at the Gladstone Institute for Neurological Disease in San Francisco has been censured for fabricating data in three National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications.

In a Federal Register notice released yesterday (January 7), the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) announced that Muchowski, who studies the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation, reported results from experiments that had not yet been carried out in one funded NIH grant and two submitted NIH grant applications.

A dozen of Muchowski’s published papers have been cited more than 100 times, according to Thomson Scientific’s Web of Knowledge. No papers were called into question by the investigation, carried out by the Gladstone Institutes and overseen by the ORI. But Muchowski has agreed to have his research supervised for 2 years and to not serve on any NIH committees for the same period.

The Gladstone Institutes told Retraction Watch that ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina
Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo
Abstract background with red and blue laser lights

VANTAstar Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows

BMG LABTECH