Dr. Arun Sethuraman
@arunsethuraman.bsky.social
Computational evolutionary biologist. Associate Professor at @sandiegostate.bsky.social, athlete, insomniac, writer, singer, polyglot, polymath, Out100 honoree. He/him. 🏳️🌈🇮🇳🇺🇸🐞🌱🐢🧬🏋🏾♂️🎤✍🏾 www.sethuramanlab.com Views are mine and mine alone.
Pinned
It us - your awesome @genetics-gsa.bsky.social Board of Directors, staff, & colleagues at the annual Board meeting in PIT. So proud of serving our community of genetics to ‘design’ our next year at G3, Genetics, Worm, Dros, Yeast, Fly, and other meetings.
Fellow CalPERS friends - tips on how you handled the switch from OptumRx to CVS at the start of the year? Do I need to call my pharmacy/PCP? Someone else?
January 3, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Fellow CalPERS friends - tips on how you handled the switch from OptumRx to CVS at the start of the year? Do I need to call my pharmacy/PCP? Someone else?
Calvin’s first vet visit to wrap up 2025! Gotta love Dr. Sawyer ❤️
December 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Calvin’s first vet visit to wrap up 2025! Gotta love Dr. Sawyer ❤️
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Deciphering the evolution of sex determination across the termite tree of life using high-quality genome assemblies https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.29.696834v1
December 30, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Deciphering the evolution of sex determination across the termite tree of life using high-quality genome assemblies https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.29.696834v1
Agh. Any fellow academics still have nightmares about taking an outrageously difficult math exam? Seems to be my go-to stress dream lately. Woke up panting and pretty sure I had failed.
a cat wearing glasses and a bow tie is laying on a laptop computer .
ALT: a cat wearing glasses and a bow tie is laying on a laptop computer .
media.tenor.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Agh. Any fellow academics still have nightmares about taking an outrageously difficult math exam? Seems to be my go-to stress dream lately. Woke up panting and pretty sure I had failed.
I think that snow is overrated around the holidays. It’s 65 degrees and kinda magical here in San Diego ❤️
December 24, 2025 at 6:52 AM
I think that snow is overrated around the holidays. It’s 65 degrees and kinda magical here in San Diego ❤️
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
A genome-wide comparison of #gene regulatory sequences & embryonic gene expression in arachnids - new insights into the impact of the arachnopulmonate whole #genome duplication academic.oup.com/gbe/article/... #biodiversity #genomics
Assessing the Impact of Whole Genome Duplication on Gene Expression and Regulation During Arachnid Development
Abstract. Whole genome duplication (WGD) generates a new genetic material that can contribute to the evolution of developmental processes and phenotypic di
academic.oup.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A genome-wide comparison of #gene regulatory sequences & embryonic gene expression in arachnids - new insights into the impact of the arachnopulmonate whole #genome duplication academic.oup.com/gbe/article/... #biodiversity #genomics
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Very excited to share the capstone of my postdoc work with @stepheniwright.bsky.social, co-led by Wright lab grad student Cassandre with contributions from many others.
We combined new methods with high-quality Rumex assemblies to dive into the remarkable history of rearrangement in this genus.
We combined new methods with high-quality Rumex assemblies to dive into the remarkable history of rearrangement in this genus.
Rapid evolution of synteny associated with multiple origins of dioecy and XY sex determination
Chromosomal rearrangements are a major driver of evolutionary innovation, shaping processes including local adaptation, speciation, and sex chromosome evolution. Multispecies synteny datasets are rich...
www.biorxiv.org
December 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Very excited to share the capstone of my postdoc work with @stepheniwright.bsky.social, co-led by Wright lab grad student Cassandre with contributions from many others.
We combined new methods with high-quality Rumex assemblies to dive into the remarkable history of rearrangement in this genus.
We combined new methods with high-quality Rumex assemblies to dive into the remarkable history of rearrangement in this genus.
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
New Dialogue and Debate from #G3Journal: Réka Howard and Alexander Lipka argue for simpler models in genomic selection and question whether complexity undermines scientific validity. Read more: buff.ly/CW7psYB
December 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
New Dialogue and Debate from #G3Journal: Réka Howard and Alexander Lipka argue for simpler models in genomic selection and question whether complexity undermines scientific validity. Read more: buff.ly/CW7psYB
Whoo-whee! 4 new ONT Testudine & 4 new PacBio Fagaceae genomes just landed in my inbox right before the holidays! I'd call that a santa-stic present! That's just a fraction of new genomes that my lab will be assembling, annotating, and doing some fun evo-genomics with in 2026. Happy holidays y'all!
a turtle with its mouth open and the words omg written on it
ALT: a turtle with its mouth open and the words omg written on it
media.tenor.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Whoo-whee! 4 new ONT Testudine & 4 new PacBio Fagaceae genomes just landed in my inbox right before the holidays! I'd call that a santa-stic present! That's just a fraction of new genomes that my lab will be assembling, annotating, and doing some fun evo-genomics with in 2026. Happy holidays y'all!
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Preprint up now! With @ferrisifolius.bsky.social, we found positive selection on leaf shape plasticity across the altitudinal range of the cutleaf monkeyflower. This experiment was a HUGE personal undertaking. If you give it a read, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Phenotypic plasticity is broadly adaptive across an elevation gradient in the Cutleaf Monkeyflower
Phenotypic plasticity is a key mechanism by which organisms can cope with environmental heterogeneity, but its evolutionary consequences depend on how plastic responses align with the broader adaptive...
www.biorxiv.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Preprint up now! With @ferrisifolius.bsky.social, we found positive selection on leaf shape plasticity across the altitudinal range of the cutleaf monkeyflower. This experiment was a HUGE personal undertaking. If you give it a read, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Now accepted in Genetics!
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
We ask why and when rescaling of forward simulations in population genetics is not accurate. There are some interesting results for people performing simulations with selection.
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
We ask why and when rescaling of forward simulations in population genetics is not accurate. There are some interesting results for people performing simulations with selection.
Effects of rescaling forward-in-time population genetic simulations
Abstract. Forward-in-time population genetic simulations enable modelling of a wide array of complex evolutionary scenarios. Simulating small genomic regio
academic.oup.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Now accepted in Genetics!
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
We ask why and when rescaling of forward simulations in population genetics is not accurate. There are some interesting results for people performing simulations with selection.
academic.oup.com/genetics/adv...
We ask why and when rescaling of forward simulations in population genetics is not accurate. There are some interesting results for people performing simulations with selection.
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Happy to highlight an essay I wrote together with @marcdemanuel.bsky.social,
@natanaels.bsky.social and Anastasia Stolyarova, trying to think through what sets the mutation rate of a cell type in an animal species: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... 1/n
@natanaels.bsky.social and Anastasia Stolyarova, trying to think through what sets the mutation rate of a cell type in an animal species: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... 1/n
What sets the mutation rate of a cell type in an animal species?
Germline mutation rates per generation are strikingly similar across animals, despite vast differences in life histories. Analogously, in at least one somatic cell type, mutation rates at the end of l...
www.biorxiv.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Happy to highlight an essay I wrote together with @marcdemanuel.bsky.social,
@natanaels.bsky.social and Anastasia Stolyarova, trying to think through what sets the mutation rate of a cell type in an animal species: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... 1/n
@natanaels.bsky.social and Anastasia Stolyarova, trying to think through what sets the mutation rate of a cell type in an animal species: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... 1/n
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Salmonids reveal principles of regulatory evolution following autotetraploidization https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.18.695160v1
December 22, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Salmonids reveal principles of regulatory evolution following autotetraploidization https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.18.695160v1
My favorite event of the year! Thank you to everyone who made it to the poster session for my research methods class at White Labs Brewing Co! Such a great group of students! Watch for several upcoming publications from all the cool experiments we did in 15 weeks.
December 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
My favorite event of the year! Thank you to everyone who made it to the poster session for my research methods class at White Labs Brewing Co! Such a great group of students! Watch for several upcoming publications from all the cool experiments we did in 15 weeks.
We're hiring @sandiegostate.bsky.social in interdisciplinary border/indigenous studies - broadly defined! Work in our border and binational communities (e.g. trans-border flora/fauna, rural/urban issues, food security in desert communities, etc.)? Consider applying! careers.sdsu.edu/en-us/job/55...
Details - Associate/Full Professor for Interdisciplinary Border/Indigenous Scholarship | Job Opportunities | SDSU
careers.sdsu.edu
December 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
We're hiring @sandiegostate.bsky.social in interdisciplinary border/indigenous studies - broadly defined! Work in our border and binational communities (e.g. trans-border flora/fauna, rural/urban issues, food security in desert communities, etc.)? Consider applying! careers.sdsu.edu/en-us/job/55...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Very happy to share that I just published a new paper from my thesis! 🎉
We analysed 546 species of ant to understand how extreme specialisation into reproductive and non-reproductive roles evolved.
Key discoveries in thread🧵 👇
Full paper here: academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
We analysed 546 species of ant to understand how extreme specialisation into reproductive and non-reproductive roles evolved.
Key discoveries in thread🧵 👇
Full paper here: academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
December 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Very happy to share that I just published a new paper from my thesis! 🎉
We analysed 546 species of ant to understand how extreme specialisation into reproductive and non-reproductive roles evolved.
Key discoveries in thread🧵 👇
Full paper here: academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
We analysed 546 species of ant to understand how extreme specialisation into reproductive and non-reproductive roles evolved.
Key discoveries in thread🧵 👇
Full paper here: academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Re-upping this for San Diego friends on here - do join us!
San Diego area friends - students from my Fall '25 BIOL 596 Research Methods class will present posters from their semester-long projects on Thursday, 12/18 from 4-6 PM at White Labs Brewing Co. (across from the MCAS in Miramar). Deets in the flyer! Do join us and stay for pizza and "hoppy" hour.
December 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Re-upping this for San Diego friends on here - do join us!
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Have you ever wondered: just how strong *is* the evidence for Muller's ratchet on mtDNA?
Well, wonder no more!
(Project led by Yu Mo, with @smishra677.bsky.social and @yadirapga.bsky.social)
"No molecular evidence for Muller's ratchet in mitochondrial genomes"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Well, wonder no more!
(Project led by Yu Mo, with @smishra677.bsky.social and @yadirapga.bsky.social)
"No molecular evidence for Muller's ratchet in mitochondrial genomes"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
No molecular evidence for Muller's ratchet in mitochondrial genomes
Muller's ratchet predicts that non-recombining genomes can accumulate deleterious mutations, though molecular evidence for it is rare. Previous studies have tried to detect ratchet-like behavior in mi...
www.biorxiv.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Have you ever wondered: just how strong *is* the evidence for Muller's ratchet on mtDNA?
Well, wonder no more!
(Project led by Yu Mo, with @smishra677.bsky.social and @yadirapga.bsky.social)
"No molecular evidence for Muller's ratchet in mitochondrial genomes"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Well, wonder no more!
(Project led by Yu Mo, with @smishra677.bsky.social and @yadirapga.bsky.social)
"No molecular evidence for Muller's ratchet in mitochondrial genomes"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Fun collab w an awesome group of ecologists, led by Jenn Williams and Tom Miller! Linking Climate and Demography to Predict PopulationDynamics and Persistence Under Global Change dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Linking Climate and Demography to Predict Population Dynamics and Persistence Under Global Change
Predicting how climate change will affect the population dynamics and ultimately persistence of plant and animal populations is a grand challenge in biodiversity science and global change biology. Co...
dx.doi.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Fun collab w an awesome group of ecologists, led by Jenn Williams and Tom Miller! Linking Climate and Demography to Predict PopulationDynamics and Persistence Under Global Change dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Absolutely thrilled to share the latest work from my lab focused on the variation and evolution of human centromeres among global populations! We assembled 2,110 human centromeres, identifying 226 new major haplotypes and 1,870 α-satellite HOR variants. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Absolutely thrilled to share the latest work from my lab focused on the variation and evolution of human centromeres among global populations! We assembled 2,110 human centromeres, identifying 226 new major haplotypes and 1,870 α-satellite HOR variants. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Seasonal adaptation leaves genome-wide signatures across all traits, while food quality drives narrower, oligogenic responses—showing populations can track multiple environmental axes at once. Now out in Evolution Letters academic.oup.com/evlett/artic...
Variation in the resource environment affects patterns of seasonal adaptation at phenotypic and genomic levels in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract. Natural populations often experience heterogeneity in the quality and abundance of environmentally acquired resources across both space and time,
academic.oup.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Seasonal adaptation leaves genome-wide signatures across all traits, while food quality drives narrower, oligogenic responses—showing populations can track multiple environmental axes at once. Now out in Evolution Letters academic.oup.com/evlett/artic...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Preprint online right before the holidays! Excited to share the first piece of work from the Zhang Lab, led by my absolutely stellar postdoc Michelle Kim! In this work, we ask how admixture, selection and demography shape complex trait genetics and GWAS performance www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Determining the driving factors shaping genetic architecture of complex traits in recently admixed populations
Understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits in admixed populations remains challenging due to heterogeneous genetic backgrounds and demographic histories. Mischaracterizing admixture can ...
www.biorxiv.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Preprint online right before the holidays! Excited to share the first piece of work from the Zhang Lab, led by my absolutely stellar postdoc Michelle Kim! In this work, we ask how admixture, selection and demography shape complex trait genetics and GWAS performance www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Population-scale long-read datasets, involving sequencing and de novo assembly of multiple individuals within a species, are better at capturing the full spectrum of structural variants, but such datasets are rare outside of humans www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #biodiversity #genomics
Multispecies pangenomes reveal a pervasive influence of population size on structural variation
Structural variants (SVs) are widespread in vertebrate genomes, yet their evolutionary dynamics remain poorly understood. Using 45 long-read de novo genome assemblies and pangenome tools, we analyze S...
www.science.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Population-scale long-read datasets, involving sequencing and de novo assembly of multiple individuals within a species, are better at capturing the full spectrum of structural variants, but such datasets are rare outside of humans www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #biodiversity #genomics
Aaah! What a joyful weekend, singing my heart out with the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus at the historical Balboa Theatre, featuring special guests - Senator @schiff.senate.gov, and my lab! ❤️
December 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Aaah! What a joyful weekend, singing my heart out with the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus at the historical Balboa Theatre, featuring special guests - Senator @schiff.senate.gov, and my lab! ❤️
Reposted by Dr. Arun Sethuraman
Now TWO great new papers on why frequencies of disease genes rarely match expectations
Here was the first: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here was the first: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Now TWO great new papers on why frequencies of disease genes rarely match expectations
Here was the first: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here was the first: www.nature.com/articles/s41...