HittingerLab
@hittingerlab.bsky.social
Yeast evolutionary genomics with applications in brewing and bioenergy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Moderated by Hittinger Lab members. Opinions do not necessarily belong to anyone. Lab website: http://hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu.
With the @rokaslab.bsky.social, three novel whole genome duplication (WGD) events were discovered in the Saccharomycotina yeast species in the Dipodascales
clade. Before now, only four WGD events were known in fungi. This work suggests WGD may be underreported.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
clade. Before now, only four WGD events were known in fungi. This work suggests WGD may be underreported.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Discovery of additional ancient genome duplications in yeasts
Whole-genome duplication (WGD) has had profound macroevolutionary impacts on diverse lineages,1,2 preceding adaptive radiations in vertebrates,3,4,5 t…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM
With the @rokaslab.bsky.social, three novel whole genome duplication (WGD) events were discovered in the Saccharomycotina yeast species in the Dipodascales
clade. Before now, only four WGD events were known in fungi. This work suggests WGD may be underreported.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
clade. Before now, only four WGD events were known in fungi. This work suggests WGD may be underreported.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We're excited to announce that Chris will be attending the Yeast Genetics Meeting organized by the Genetics Society of America (GSA) @genetics-gsa.bsky.social in CA on June 13-17! #Yeast26
If you are interested in attending or presenting, follow this link to register!
genetics-gsa.org/yeast-2026/
If you are interested in attending or presenting, follow this link to register!
genetics-gsa.org/yeast-2026/
January 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
We're excited to announce that Chris will be attending the Yeast Genetics Meeting organized by the Genetics Society of America (GSA) @genetics-gsa.bsky.social in CA on June 13-17! #Yeast26
If you are interested in attending or presenting, follow this link to register!
genetics-gsa.org/yeast-2026/
If you are interested in attending or presenting, follow this link to register!
genetics-gsa.org/yeast-2026/
How much do growth morphologies in the Saccharomycotina subphylum vary? 🤔 With the @rokaslab.bsky.social, integrated datasets of 1,051 species were examined to assess filamentation evol. history and variation. ML models predicted morphologies with 70% accuracy.
academic.oup.com/femsyr/advan...
academic.oup.com/femsyr/advan...
a group of people are standing next to each other in front of a wall .
ALT: a group of people are standing next to each other in front of a wall .
media.tenor.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:54 PM
How much do growth morphologies in the Saccharomycotina subphylum vary? 🤔 With the @rokaslab.bsky.social, integrated datasets of 1,051 species were examined to assess filamentation evol. history and variation. ML models predicted morphologies with 70% accuracy.
academic.oup.com/femsyr/advan...
academic.oup.com/femsyr/advan...
In collaboration with the Pfleger Lab, Josh Dietrich et al. investigated 2-ketoacid decarboxylase (KDC) substrate specificities to identify KDCs with preference for 2-ketoisovalerate over pyruvate. This work will help guide future S. cerevisiae engineering efforts.
urldefense.com/v3/__http://...
urldefense.com/v3/__http://...
urldefense.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:08 PM
In collaboration with the Pfleger Lab, Josh Dietrich et al. investigated 2-ketoacid decarboxylase (KDC) substrate specificities to identify KDCs with preference for 2-ketoisovalerate over pyruvate. This work will help guide future S. cerevisiae engineering efforts.
urldefense.com/v3/__http://...
urldefense.com/v3/__http://...
Congratulations to our wonderful PI, Chris Todd Hittinger, on receiving the Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Award from the UW–Madison Laboratory of Genetics! This recognition highlights his continued excellence in research, teaching, training, and mentorship. 🎉
genetics.wisc.edu/2025/12/09/d...
genetics.wisc.edu/2025/12/09/d...
December 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Congratulations to our wonderful PI, Chris Todd Hittinger, on receiving the Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Award from the UW–Madison Laboratory of Genetics! This recognition highlights his continued excellence in research, teaching, training, and mentorship. 🎉
genetics.wisc.edu/2025/12/09/d...
genetics.wisc.edu/2025/12/09/d...
We were featured in the Yeast Newsletter, published in June and December every year with Western University, serving as an informal communication method for those interested in all things yeast-biology. Checkout pages 18-23! www.uwo.ca/biology/Yeas...
December 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
We were featured in the Yeast Newsletter, published in June and December every year with Western University, serving as an informal communication method for those interested in all things yeast-biology. Checkout pages 18-23! www.uwo.ca/biology/Yeas...
New preprint with @rokaslab.bsky.social! We used genomic, metabolic, environmental, and phenotypic data sets from 1,154 Saccharomycotina strains to asses filamentation variability and predict filamentation types across the subphylum. 🧩
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Macroevolution of Filamentation Morphology Across the Saccharomycotina Yeast Subphylum
Saccharomycotina yeasts are a highly diverse and widely distributed subphylum of ascomycete fungi that exhibit diversity in their asexual growth morphologies; the human commensal yeast Candida albican...
www.biorxiv.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
New preprint with @rokaslab.bsky.social! We used genomic, metabolic, environmental, and phenotypic data sets from 1,154 Saccharomycotina strains to asses filamentation variability and predict filamentation types across the subphylum. 🧩
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by HittingerLab
Gonçalves, @rokaslab.bsky.social @hittingerlab.bsky.social et al. surveyed 1,154 yeast genomes to examine gene repertoires linked to genome stability and elevated evolutionary rates, showing hypermutators persist across macroevolutionary timescales.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf285
#evobio #molbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf285
#evobio #molbio
Stable Hypermutators Revealed by the Genomic Landscape of Genes Involved in Genome Stability Among Yeast Species
Abstract. Mutator phenotypes are short-lived due to the rapid accumulation of deleterious mutations. Yet, recent observations reveal that certain fungi can
doi.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Gonçalves, @rokaslab.bsky.social @hittingerlab.bsky.social et al. surveyed 1,154 yeast genomes to examine gene repertoires linked to genome stability and elevated evolutionary rates, showing hypermutators persist across macroevolutionary timescales.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf285
#evobio #molbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf285
#evobio #molbio
New work led by members of the @rokaslab.bsky.social! ☺️ 1,154 yeast genomes in the Saccharomycotina subphylum were surveyed for their relationship between reduced gene repertoires broadly associated with genome stability functions and elevated evolutionary rates.🧬
academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-...
academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-...
Stable hypermutators revealed by the genomic landscape of genes involved in genome stability among yeast species
Abstract. Mutator phenotypes are short-lived due to the rapid accumulation of deleterious mutations. Yet, recent observations reveal that certain fungi can
academic.oup.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
New work led by members of the @rokaslab.bsky.social! ☺️ 1,154 yeast genomes in the Saccharomycotina subphylum were surveyed for their relationship between reduced gene repertoires broadly associated with genome stability functions and elevated evolutionary rates.🧬
academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-...
academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-...
With @linder-surprise.bsky.social and the @rokaslab.bsky.social, we recently expanded upon an analysis where glucose uptake rates were inversely correlated with the cell surface area-to-volume ratio, testing 282 species in the Saccharomycotina yeast subphylum.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
With @linder-surprise.bsky.social and the @rokaslab.bsky.social, we recently expanded upon an analysis where glucose uptake rates were inversely correlated with the cell surface area-to-volume ratio, testing 282 species in the Saccharomycotina yeast subphylum.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
In a preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social , @linder-surprise.bsky.social developed a high-throughput extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) assay to evaluate glycolytic rate. We highlight how genetic traits, such as aerobic fermentation, can arise convergently with strong constraints. 🧬
Convergent evolution of aerobic fermentation through divergent mechanisms acting on key shared glycolytic genes
As the tree of life becomes increasingly accessible to molecular investigations, describing mechanisms underlying evolutionary convergence and constraint will be crucial to understanding diversificati...
www.biorxiv.org
October 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In a preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social , @linder-surprise.bsky.social developed a high-throughput extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) assay to evaluate glycolytic rate. We highlight how genetic traits, such as aerobic fermentation, can arise convergently with strong constraints. 🧬
Reposted by HittingerLab
This work has also been featured on the DOE Science News Source initiative, Newswise, which promotes credible research news to the public. By publishing accessible summaries of recent studies that reach thousands of media outlets, it helps experts share their work with a broader audience.
Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress
Scientists used machine learning to analyze the genetic blueprints of hundreds of yeasts. This analysis allowed them to identify which groups of genes are most important for resistance to reactive oxy...
www.newswise.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This work has also been featured on the DOE Science News Source initiative, Newswise, which promotes credible research news to the public. By publishing accessible summaries of recent studies that reach thousands of media outlets, it helps experts share their work with a broader audience.
We are honored to share that our work, led by @katarina-aranguiz.bsky.social and @linder-surprise.bsky.social, has been featured as a Science Highlight on the DOE's Office of Science website. 200 articles are selected annually to be highlighted. Check it out! 🧫
www.energy.gov/science/ber/...
www.energy.gov/science/ber/...
Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress
Study provides a framework for connecting genetic mechanisms and trait variation across diverse yeast species.
www.energy.gov
October 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We are honored to share that our work, led by @katarina-aranguiz.bsky.social and @linder-surprise.bsky.social, has been featured as a Science Highlight on the DOE's Office of Science website. 200 articles are selected annually to be highlighted. Check it out! 🧫
www.energy.gov/science/ber/...
www.energy.gov/science/ber/...
Reposted by HittingerLab
What started as a project characterizing variation in metabolic rates across yeasts turned into an interesting story about convergent evolution acting on the same key genes through distinct molecular mechanisms with @hittingerlab.bsky.social & @rokaslab.bsky.social.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Convergent evolution of aerobic fermentation through divergent mechanisms acting on key shared glycolytic genes
As the tree of life becomes increasingly accessible to molecular investigations, describing mechanisms underlying evolutionary convergence and constraint will be crucial to understanding diversificati...
www.biorxiv.org
October 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
What started as a project characterizing variation in metabolic rates across yeasts turned into an interesting story about convergent evolution acting on the same key genes through distinct molecular mechanisms with @hittingerlab.bsky.social & @rokaslab.bsky.social.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by HittingerLab
We often talk about THE whole genome duplication in yeasts, but we find new evidence of additional whole genome duplications in other yeast species!
Check out this preprint led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Check out this preprint led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Discovery of additional ancient genome duplications in yeasts
Whole genome duplication (WGD) has had profound macroevolutionary impacts on diverse lineages, preceding adaptive radiations in vertebrates, teleost fish, and angiosperms. In contrast to the many know...
www.biorxiv.org
September 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
We often talk about THE whole genome duplication in yeasts, but we find new evidence of additional whole genome duplications in other yeast species!
Check out this preprint led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Check out this preprint led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Checkout our new preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social!:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Discovery of additional ancient genome duplications in yeasts
Whole genome duplication (WGD) has had profound macroevolutionary impacts on diverse lineages[1][1],[2][2], preceding adaptive radiations in vertebrates[3][3]–[5][4], teleost fish[6][5],[7][6], and an...
www.biorxiv.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Checkout our new preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social!:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
With the Opulente Lab at Villanova Univ., we describe a new yeast species: Lachancea rosae sp. nov. f.a., isolated from the hip bud of a wild California rose 🌹. This species unique traits adds to the biodiversity of the Lachancea genus. Open access article:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Taxogenomic Analysis of a Novel Yeast Species, Lachancea rosae Sp. Nov. F.A., Isolated From the Wild Rose Rosa californica
The discovery, description, and taxogenomic analysis of a novel species of Lachancea revealed correlations between gene content and carbon and nitrogen physiological assays.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
With the Opulente Lab at Villanova Univ., we describe a new yeast species: Lachancea rosae sp. nov. f.a., isolated from the hip bud of a wild California rose 🌹. This species unique traits adds to the biodiversity of the Lachancea genus. Open access article:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by HittingerLab
New #Yeast paper out from the series #FantasticYeasts!!! @hittingerlab.bsky.social , Dana Opulente & team describe a novel species, Lachancea rosae, isolated from the wild rose Rosa californica 🌹
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Taxogenomic Analysis of a Novel Yeast Species, Lachancea rosae Sp. Nov. F.A., Isolated From the Wild Rose Rosa californica
The discovery, description, and taxogenomic analysis of a novel species of Lachancea revealed correlations between gene content and carbon and nitrogen physiological assays.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New #Yeast paper out from the series #FantasticYeasts!!! @hittingerlab.bsky.social , Dana Opulente & team describe a novel species, Lachancea rosae, isolated from the wild rose Rosa californica 🌹
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
We’re excited to share our latest paper, an international collaboration led by Katharina O. Barros and Jassim Al-Oboudi, describing Pichia senei sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from cactus necrosis and bromeliad phytotelmata in Brazil’s Cerrado ecosystem. 🌵🇧🇷
August 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
We’re excited to share our latest paper, an international collaboration led by Katharina O. Barros and Jassim Al-Oboudi, describing Pichia senei sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from cactus necrosis and bromeliad phytotelmata in Brazil’s Cerrado ecosystem. 🌵🇧🇷
Reposted by HittingerLab
WE ARE #HIRING‼️
Join the @hittingerlab.bsky.social to study yeast evolution, ecology, and bioenergy applications of yeast species as a Research Associate. Apply by August 15 www.glbrc.org/about/job-op...
#research #job
Join the @hittingerlab.bsky.social to study yeast evolution, ecology, and bioenergy applications of yeast species as a Research Associate. Apply by August 15 www.glbrc.org/about/job-op...
#research #job
August 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
WE ARE #HIRING‼️
Join the @hittingerlab.bsky.social to study yeast evolution, ecology, and bioenergy applications of yeast species as a Research Associate. Apply by August 15 www.glbrc.org/about/job-op...
#research #job
Join the @hittingerlab.bsky.social to study yeast evolution, ecology, and bioenergy applications of yeast species as a Research Associate. Apply by August 15 www.glbrc.org/about/job-op...
#research #job
Two more weeks to apply for this postdoctoral training position!📆
We have an opening for postdoctoral training! Please apply by 15th August 2025 for full consideration. Here is the ad: hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu/People/Join/...
hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu
August 1, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Two more weeks to apply for this postdoctoral training position!📆
We have an opening for postdoctoral training! Please apply by 15th August 2025 for full consideration. Here is the ad: hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu/People/Join/...
hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu
July 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
We have an opening for postdoctoral training! Please apply by 15th August 2025 for full consideration. Here is the ad: hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu/People/Join/...
In another fruitful collaboration with the @rokaslab.bsky.social, Hittinger Lab members @katarina-aranguiz.bsky.social and @linder-surprise.bsky.social , et al. established a ML framework to identify gene families in the yeast subphylum Saccharomycotina whose copy numbers predicted ROS resistance.
Machine learning reveals genes impacting oxidative stress resistance across yeasts - Nature Communications
Yeasts are exposed to oxidative stress during routine metabolism, bioproduction, and interactions with other organisms. Here, the authors use a machine learning classifier to identify genes that are p...
www.nature.com
July 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
In another fruitful collaboration with the @rokaslab.bsky.social, Hittinger Lab members @katarina-aranguiz.bsky.social and @linder-surprise.bsky.social , et al. established a ML framework to identify gene families in the yeast subphylum Saccharomycotina whose copy numbers predicted ROS resistance.
Congrats to @emuthemycologist.bsky.social for presenting her first talk at #MSAfungi25!
July 2, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Congrats to @emuthemycologist.bsky.social for presenting her first talk at #MSAfungi25!
Hey #MSAfungi25, check out @emuthemycologist.bsky.social's presentation "Galactose growth in the Saccharomycotina yeasts lacking the canonical GAL pathway" today at 3:45pm in the Genetics and Genomics session!
@msafungi.bsky.social
@msafungi.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Hey #MSAfungi25, check out @emuthemycologist.bsky.social's presentation "Galactose growth in the Saccharomycotina yeasts lacking the canonical GAL pathway" today at 3:45pm in the Genetics and Genomics session!
@msafungi.bsky.social
@msafungi.bsky.social