Elinor Karlsson
@elinork.bsky.social
Scientist & artist. Prof at UMass Chan Med School & Broad Institute. Rice U alum. Founder of Zoonomia & DarwinsArk.org. Wants your dog’s DNA. And your cat’s! 🇸🇪🇳🇿🇺🇸
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Elinor Karlsson kicked off our morning session: ‚Behavior Evolution: Mechanisms and Change‘ and introduced her research on dogs. Her research is driven by questions such as do breeds have distincive behaviors or how did a wolf become a dog?
@elinork.bsky.social
karlssonlab.org/about/people...
@elinork.bsky.social
karlssonlab.org/about/people...
Elinor Karlsson, PhD
karlssonlab.org
July 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Elinor Karlsson kicked off our morning session: ‚Behavior Evolution: Mechanisms and Change‘ and introduced her research on dogs. Her research is driven by questions such as do breeds have distincive behaviors or how did a wolf become a dog?
@elinork.bsky.social
karlssonlab.org/about/people...
@elinork.bsky.social
karlssonlab.org/about/people...
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Mass murderer.
(gift link)
(gift link)
Kennedy Withdraws U.S. Funding Pledge to International Vaccine Agency
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Mass murderer.
(gift link)
(gift link)
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Attending the GRC in Molecular mechanisms of evolution seems like such a privilege. Thanks to the chairs Dan Jarosz, Shelley Cooley & the vice-chairs Mia Levine and Joe Thornton. Opening session off to a great start with an introduction by @judithberman11.bsky.social that made me proud and cry. 1/
June 23, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Attending the GRC in Molecular mechanisms of evolution seems like such a privilege. Thanks to the chairs Dan Jarosz, Shelley Cooley & the vice-chairs Mia Levine and Joe Thornton. Opening session off to a great start with an introduction by @judithberman11.bsky.social that made me proud and cry. 1/
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Jay's "support" for early career researchers is breathtaking. It's worth taking a quick look at the list of NIH training grants/fellowships that have been terminated. Thanks to @noamross.net, @scott-delaney.bsky.social, and others for compiling these lists.
Airtable | Everyone's app platform
Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps. Customize your workflow, collaborate, and achieve ambitious outcomes. Get started for free.
airtable.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Jay's "support" for early career researchers is breathtaking. It's worth taking a quick look at the list of NIH training grants/fellowships that have been terminated. Thanks to @noamross.net, @scott-delaney.bsky.social, and others for compiling these lists.
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
My HPC team at UC Davis is hiring! Looking for an experienced sysadmin to help build and maintain clusters (hardware and software). HPC experience great, but if you’re an experienced sysadmin and willing to learn, please apply!
careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucdavis/...
careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucdavis/...
An error has occurred.
careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu
June 5, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My HPC team at UC Davis is hiring! Looking for an experienced sysadmin to help build and maintain clusters (hardware and software). HPC experience great, but if you’re an experienced sysadmin and willing to learn, please apply!
careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucdavis/...
careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucdavis/...
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Great stuff! Above all, the paper firmly nails 'domestication' as a phenomenon of populations, not (sub)species. Loud cheers.
You know what the world absolutely does not need? Yet another definition for domestication. Get over yourselves people. C'mon!
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
May 16, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Great stuff! Above all, the paper firmly nails 'domestication' as a phenomenon of populations, not (sub)species. Loud cheers.
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
You know what the world absolutely does not need? Yet another definition for domestication. Get over yourselves people. C'mon!
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
May 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
You know what the world absolutely does not need? Yet another definition for domestication. Get over yourselves people. C'mon!
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
Ok, maybe just one more. So much fun working with @elinork.bsky.social, Kathryn and Robin. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
Many years ago I ventured down a “what is domestication” rabbit hole w Kathryn Lord @gregerlarson.bsky.social & Robin Allaby. This is where we ended up! @pnas.org www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
A universally applicable definition for domestication | PNAS
The process of domestication is commonly perceived as a human achievement, and domestic
species are typically assumed to be those under human contr...
www.pnas.org
May 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Many years ago I ventured down a “what is domestication” rabbit hole w Kathryn Lord @gregerlarson.bsky.social & Robin Allaby. This is where we ended up! @pnas.org www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Let’s get the word out about the importance of federal funding of curiosity -driven science
We all have similar stories to share
We all have similar stories to share
Protecting the Brain Requires Persistence
@bethstevenslab.bsky.social, NIH-supported investigator of Alzheimer’s and other disorders, explains how one discovery can lead to another.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
@bethstevenslab.bsky.social, NIH-supported investigator of Alzheimer’s and other disorders, explains how one discovery can lead to another.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Taking the long view on Alzheimer’s — Harvard Gazette %
Beth Stevens' work has built a foundation for new kinds of medicines to treat neurodegenerative diseases. "I was just following the science."
news.harvard.edu
May 9, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Let’s get the word out about the importance of federal funding of curiosity -driven science
We all have similar stories to share
We all have similar stories to share
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Time to catch up on the past week’s news about science and medicine in the US. Whew. 1/10
May 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Time to catch up on the past week’s news about science and medicine in the US. Whew. 1/10
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Sometimes being uprooted lets you grow something bigger. 🌱
On April 1st, the three of us were laid off from our dream jobs as science communicators for the federal government.
But science communication is still alive and thriving. It’s just growing underground.
Follow us for more updates to come!
On April 1st, the three of us were laid off from our dream jobs as science communicators for the federal government.
But science communication is still alive and thriving. It’s just growing underground.
Follow us for more updates to come!
April 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Sometimes being uprooted lets you grow something bigger. 🌱
On April 1st, the three of us were laid off from our dream jobs as science communicators for the federal government.
But science communication is still alive and thriving. It’s just growing underground.
Follow us for more updates to come!
On April 1st, the three of us were laid off from our dream jobs as science communicators for the federal government.
But science communication is still alive and thriving. It’s just growing underground.
Follow us for more updates to come!
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
@atjcagan.bsky.social it's a true pleasure to have Alex Cagan opening up the session on mutations across the tree of life. #MITS25
April 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
@atjcagan.bsky.social it's a true pleasure to have Alex Cagan opening up the session on mutations across the tree of life. #MITS25
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Elinor Karlsson, PhD, of @umasschan.bsky.social and @broadinstitute.org teams up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to establish a comprehensive database of cat genomics: direc.to/nd8t
The Darwin’s Cats database will accelerate research and scientific breakthroughs. #cats #CatGenetics @elinork.bsky.social
The Darwin’s Cats database will accelerate research and scientific breakthroughs. #cats #CatGenetics @elinork.bsky.social
April 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Elinor Karlsson, PhD, of @umasschan.bsky.social and @broadinstitute.org teams up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to establish a comprehensive database of cat genomics: direc.to/nd8t
The Darwin’s Cats database will accelerate research and scientific breakthroughs. #cats #CatGenetics @elinork.bsky.social
The Darwin’s Cats database will accelerate research and scientific breakthroughs. #cats #CatGenetics @elinork.bsky.social
Reposted by Elinor Karlsson
Scientists are asking cat owners nationwide to submit a tuft of fur and share details about their cat’s appearance, personality, and behavior. Dr. @elinork.bsky.social joins us to discuss the project and what we do and don’t know about #cat genetics.
Investigating Cat Behavior Through Genetics
With the help of cat owners, a new project investigates cats’ biology and aims to link some of their behaviors to their genes.
www.sciencefriday.com
April 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Scientists are asking cat owners nationwide to submit a tuft of fur and share details about their cat’s appearance, personality, and behavior. Dr. @elinork.bsky.social joins us to discuss the project and what we do and don’t know about #cat genetics.
The Cape Buffalo has undergone major genetic shifts due to recent and ancient events. DNA analysis revealed 3 distinct population clusters, likely shaped by Holocene climate change and more recent human impacts like habitat fragmentation and disease. #2025MMM #RIP link.springer.com/article/10.1...
March 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The Cape Buffalo has undergone major genetic shifts due to recent and ancient events. DNA analysis revealed 3 distinct population clusters, likely shaped by Holocene climate change and more recent human impacts like habitat fragmentation and disease. #2025MMM #RIP link.springer.com/article/10.1...
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) split from its Asian relatives (Bubalus spp.) ~7 million years ago. Fossils and DNA agree ➡️ Bovini arrived in Africa during the late Miocene, giving rise to a new branch of buffalos. #2025MMM link.springer.com/article/10.1...
March 27, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) split from its Asian relatives (Bubalus spp.) ~7 million years ago. Fossils and DNA agree ➡️ Bovini arrived in Africa during the late Miocene, giving rise to a new branch of buffalos. #2025MMM link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago (Norway) have experienced rapid sea ice loss over the past few decades. Microsatellites from 622 polar bears living in this region in 1995-2016 (2 generations) show ⬇️ in genetic diversity + ⬆️ in relatedness over time. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.1741
March 27, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago (Norway) have experienced rapid sea ice loss over the past few decades. Microsatellites from 622 polar bears living in this region in 1995-2016 (2 generations) show ⬇️ in genetic diversity + ⬆️ in relatedness over time. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.1741
Efforts to protect Saiga have been mixed-- they are susceptible to the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which tragically killed more than 200,000 individuals in 2015 alone. Very high temp & humidity that year may have contributed to the die off. #2025MMM #RIP www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
March 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Efforts to protect Saiga have been mixed-- they are susceptible to the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which tragically killed more than 200,000 individuals in 2015 alone. Very high temp & humidity that year may have contributed to the die off. #2025MMM #RIP www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
European populations of Saiga have low variability of microsatellite loci, but highly variable mitochondrial control region and nuclear DNA-- why? Likely due to the overhunting of adult male Saiga in the early 1990s, which caused the loss of paternal lines #2025MMM research.ebsco.com/linkprocesso...
March 27, 2025 at 1:47 AM
European populations of Saiga have low variability of microsatellite loci, but highly variable mitochondrial control region and nuclear DNA-- why? Likely due to the overhunting of adult male Saiga in the early 1990s, which caused the loss of paternal lines #2025MMM research.ebsco.com/linkprocesso...
How does puma diversity compare to other wild felids? A study on pumas, jaguars, and ocelots in Belize showed jaguars had the lowest genetic diversity, followed by pumas, then ocelots. Puma pops showed the most structure of the 3 cats across the fragmented landscape. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1371/jour...
March 27, 2025 at 1:46 AM
How does puma diversity compare to other wild felids? A study on pumas, jaguars, and ocelots in Belize showed jaguars had the lowest genetic diversity, followed by pumas, then ocelots. Puma pops showed the most structure of the 3 cats across the fragmented landscape. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1371/jour...
C. anguineus has an unusually high chromosome count (100 chromosomes) compared to many other sharks. Such a high diploid number may hint at chromosomal reorganizations or ancient polyploidy events in its lineage. #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.1023/A:10...
March 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
C. anguineus has an unusually high chromosome count (100 chromosomes) compared to many other sharks. Such a high diploid number may hint at chromosomal reorganizations or ancient polyploidy events in its lineage. #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.1023/A:10...
Frilled sharks (C. anguineus) show extremely low intraspecific genetic variation: distant populations have >99.9% identical mtDNA. This low diversity suggests a historically widespread population or very slow drift—likely aided by deep-sea stability. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2015.1137801
March 27, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Frilled sharks (C. anguineus) show extremely low intraspecific genetic variation: distant populations have >99.9% identical mtDNA. This low diversity suggests a historically widespread population or very slow drift—likely aided by deep-sea stability. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2015.1137801
Gar, an actinopterygian, has mineralized tissues involving SCPP genes, which were previously unidentified in chondrichthyans. In gar, 38 SCPP genes were found - a genetic system for tissue mineralization in early osteichthyans, w/ rapid expansion in actinopterygians. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1002/jez....
March 27, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Gar, an actinopterygian, has mineralized tissues involving SCPP genes, which were previously unidentified in chondrichthyans. In gar, 38 SCPP genes were found - a genetic system for tissue mineralization in early osteichthyans, w/ rapid expansion in actinopterygians. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1002/jez....
Mountain zebras lost this round…and have also lost the most chromosomes out of all equids! Mountain zebras have only 16 pairs, their zebra relatives have 22 and 23 pairs, and the Przewalski’s horse has the most in the equid genus w/33 pairs. #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.1007/s10577-013-9346-z
![Comparative chromosome mapping between the mountain zebra (Hartmann’s mountain zebra subspecies; Equus zebra hartmannae [EZH]) and domestic horse (E. caballus [ECA]). Mountain zebra chromosomes are shown on the left in each homologous pair while horse chromosomes are shown on the right.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:b6oxx2ptij2znhzrcxtuczrr/bafkreid4l37wah2uyv6i37m2kihto3dokwd56nduawytsnzturvdbsmghe@jpeg)
March 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Mountain zebras lost this round…and have also lost the most chromosomes out of all equids! Mountain zebras have only 16 pairs, their zebra relatives have 22 and 23 pairs, and the Przewalski’s horse has the most in the equid genus w/33 pairs. #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.1007/s10577-013-9346-z