Jane Qiu, PhD
@janeqiu.bsky.social
Globe-trotting, award-winning independent science writer in China | Words in @nature.com, @sciam.bsky.social, National Geographic and more | Writing a book on emerging diseases for @scribnerbooks.bsky.social | Ex: @ksjatmit.bsky.social, @nature.com
Pinned
Jane Qiu, PhD
@janeqiu.bsky.social
· Jun 11
Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic
Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.
www.nature.com
Wildlife trade acts as a vast global network of unregulated natural laboratories,with ample opportunities for viruses to circulate & evolve to become more dangerous
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
The Covid ‘lab leak’ theory isn’t just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that’s the case is bad for science | Jane Qiu
The Covid ‘lab leak’ theory isn’t just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that’s the case is bad for science | Jane Qiu
While figures like Steve Bannon have exploited the issue, scientists have done themselves no favours by shutting down legitimate inquiry, says award-winning science writer Jane Qiu
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:22 AM
The Covid ‘lab leak’ theory isn’t just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that’s the case is bad for science | Jane Qiu
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
A Piping Plover chick tries to squeeze in. Moms are so patient and amazing.
June 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
A Piping Plover chick tries to squeeze in. Moms are so patient and amazing.
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
On the Pennine Way in Northumberland. Spectacular landscape underlain by Carboniferous rocks. A block by the path suddenly reveals a Stigmaria root from a giant Lepidodendron tree that grew in a coal swamp more than 300 million years ago. 🧵
June 26, 2025 at 8:16 PM
On the Pennine Way in Northumberland. Spectacular landscape underlain by Carboniferous rocks. A block by the path suddenly reveals a Stigmaria root from a giant Lepidodendron tree that grew in a coal swamp more than 300 million years ago. 🧵
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Ewen Callaway reports on biology's rush for AI-enabled 'virtual cells'.
So far it "has a lot of hype, but not a lot of concrete results or a clear path to success".
"I don’t think there is a clear definition of a virtual cell", says CZI's Jonah Cool.
@nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
So far it "has a lot of hype, but not a lot of concrete results or a clear path to success".
"I don’t think there is a clear definition of a virtual cell", says CZI's Jonah Cool.
@nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Can AI build a virtual cell? Scientists race to model life’s smallest unit
Several groups hope to develop artificial-intelligence models that can predict how cells behave.
www.nature.com
June 27, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Ewen Callaway reports on biology's rush for AI-enabled 'virtual cells'.
So far it "has a lot of hype, but not a lot of concrete results or a clear path to success".
"I don’t think there is a clear definition of a virtual cell", says CZI's Jonah Cool.
@nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
So far it "has a lot of hype, but not a lot of concrete results or a clear path to success".
"I don’t think there is a clear definition of a virtual cell", says CZI's Jonah Cool.
@nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Why does the covid origins debate remain so polarising & acrimonious?
What does this say about the state of science & the public discourse of science?
My @theguardian.com op-ed debut, from a sociological perspective
Include backstory behind the film Blame
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What does this say about the state of science & the public discourse of science?
My @theguardian.com op-ed debut, from a sociological perspective
Include backstory behind the film Blame
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Covid ‘lab leak’ theory isn’t just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that’s the case is bad for science | Jane Qiu
While figures like Steve Bannon have exploited the issue, scientists have done themselves no favours by shutting down legitimate inquiry, says award-winning science writer Jane Qiu
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Why does the covid origins debate remain so polarising & acrimonious?
What does this say about the state of science & the public discourse of science?
My @theguardian.com op-ed debut, from a sociological perspective
Include backstory behind the film Blame
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What does this say about the state of science & the public discourse of science?
My @theguardian.com op-ed debut, from a sociological perspective
Include backstory behind the film Blame
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
How should researchers respond to allegations about their work? Lessons from three Nobel Prize winners who have retracted papers.
Retraction Reactions
Scientists’ responses to published errors provide case studies of practices to avoid or embrace when engaging with the research community.
www.americanscientist.org
June 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
How should researchers respond to allegations about their work? Lessons from three Nobel Prize winners who have retracted papers.
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
I’m grateful for the support of @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
Thank you, @bmaher.bsky.social & Rich Monastersky @nature.com, for commissioning the story & great editing job
I am indebted to many researchers I’ve spoken with, whose contributions I’m unable to acknowledge due to space constraints
17/
Thank you, @bmaher.bsky.social & Rich Monastersky @nature.com, for commissioning the story & great editing job
I am indebted to many researchers I’ve spoken with, whose contributions I’m unable to acknowledge due to space constraints
17/
June 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I’m grateful for the support of @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
Thank you, @bmaher.bsky.social & Rich Monastersky @nature.com, for commissioning the story & great editing job
I am indebted to many researchers I’ve spoken with, whose contributions I’m unable to acknowledge due to space constraints
17/
Thank you, @bmaher.bsky.social & Rich Monastersky @nature.com, for commissioning the story & great editing job
I am indebted to many researchers I’ve spoken with, whose contributions I’m unable to acknowledge due to space constraints
17/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
What stands to be lost is not only the continuity of data collection, but also crucial efforts to build local capacity—as well as the trust and solidarity that are essential to these efforts
“We can only anticipate a decrease in this funding, until the next major crisis,” says Julien Cappelle
16/
“We can only anticipate a decrease in this funding, until the next major crisis,” says Julien Cappelle
16/
June 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
What stands to be lost is not only the continuity of data collection, but also crucial efforts to build local capacity—as well as the trust and solidarity that are essential to these efforts
“We can only anticipate a decrease in this funding, until the next major crisis,” says Julien Cappelle
16/
“We can only anticipate a decrease in this funding, until the next major crisis,” says Julien Cappelle
16/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
The lack of clarity about the pandemic’s origins has led to heightened anxiety over lab biosafety & an intense distrust of scientists researching emerging pathogens
A series of policy shifts since Trump took office have created a void in global disease-monitoring landscape that nobody can fill
15/
A series of policy shifts since Trump took office have created a void in global disease-monitoring landscape that nobody can fill
15/
June 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The lack of clarity about the pandemic’s origins has led to heightened anxiety over lab biosafety & an intense distrust of scientists researching emerging pathogens
A series of policy shifts since Trump took office have created a void in global disease-monitoring landscape that nobody can fill
15/
A series of policy shifts since Trump took office have created a void in global disease-monitoring landscape that nobody can fill
15/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
For @mvankerkhove.bsky.social, we need to address the incentives & disincentives
What are the incentives for better regulation?
What hinders effective monitoring?
What could motivate timely release of information when the only outcomes seem to be stigma, trade restrictions & travel bans?
14/
What are the incentives for better regulation?
What hinders effective monitoring?
What could motivate timely release of information when the only outcomes seem to be stigma, trade restrictions & travel bans?
14/
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
For @mvankerkhove.bsky.social, we need to address the incentives & disincentives
What are the incentives for better regulation?
What hinders effective monitoring?
What could motivate timely release of information when the only outcomes seem to be stigma, trade restrictions & travel bans?
14/
What are the incentives for better regulation?
What hinders effective monitoring?
What could motivate timely release of information when the only outcomes seem to be stigma, trade restrictions & travel bans?
14/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
“They don’t want to know what might be there” says @eddieholmes.bsky.social
“If you find something new, it becomes a problem”
Scientists in SE Asian countries told me that they’ve withheld information about newly identified pathogens because government officials didn’t authorize publication
13/
“If you find something new, it becomes a problem”
Scientists in SE Asian countries told me that they’ve withheld information about newly identified pathogens because government officials didn’t authorize publication
13/
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
“They don’t want to know what might be there” says @eddieholmes.bsky.social
“If you find something new, it becomes a problem”
Scientists in SE Asian countries told me that they’ve withheld information about newly identified pathogens because government officials didn’t authorize publication
13/
“If you find something new, it becomes a problem”
Scientists in SE Asian countries told me that they’ve withheld information about newly identified pathogens because government officials didn’t authorize publication
13/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
The pandemic has left a legacy that undermines the global efforts to prevent future outbreaks
Zoonotic diseases, often associated with blame, stigma and punitive measures, have become a sensitive subject in many parts of the world and increasingly difficult to study
12/
Zoonotic diseases, often associated with blame, stigma and punitive measures, have become a sensitive subject in many parts of the world and increasingly difficult to study
12/
June 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The pandemic has left a legacy that undermines the global efforts to prevent future outbreaks
Zoonotic diseases, often associated with blame, stigma and punitive measures, have become a sensitive subject in many parts of the world and increasingly difficult to study
12/
Zoonotic diseases, often associated with blame, stigma and punitive measures, have become a sensitive subject in many parts of the world and increasingly difficult to study
12/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Cutting-edge technologies could help collect & analyse massive amounts of data—from animals, humans & environment—safely & efficiently, drastically reducing the need to work with live viruses
- ‘Smart’ surveillance
- CRISPR-based pathogen detection
- Metagenomics
- VirScan: ‘extreme serology’
11/
- ‘Smart’ surveillance
- CRISPR-based pathogen detection
- Metagenomics
- VirScan: ‘extreme serology’
11/
June 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Cutting-edge technologies could help collect & analyse massive amounts of data—from animals, humans & environment—safely & efficiently, drastically reducing the need to work with live viruses
- ‘Smart’ surveillance
- CRISPR-based pathogen detection
- Metagenomics
- VirScan: ‘extreme serology’
11/
- ‘Smart’ surveillance
- CRISPR-based pathogen detection
- Metagenomics
- VirScan: ‘extreme serology’
11/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
In 2020, China banned the farming and trading of most wildlife species for food, without offering adequate compensation or alternative livelihoods.
Farmers lost their livelihoods overnight, and many were driven to suicide.
Today, these practices have resurfaced and continue underground.
10/
Farmers lost their livelihoods overnight, and many were driven to suicide.
Today, these practices have resurfaced and continue underground.
10/
June 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
In 2020, China banned the farming and trading of most wildlife species for food, without offering adequate compensation or alternative livelihoods.
Farmers lost their livelihoods overnight, and many were driven to suicide.
Today, these practices have resurfaced and continue underground.
10/
Farmers lost their livelihoods overnight, and many were driven to suicide.
Today, these practices have resurfaced and continue underground.
10/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Attempts to regulate the wildlife trade must take people’s livelihoods into account—or risk driving the activity underground.
This happened when consumption of wild-animal meat was banned in West Africa during 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic.
9/
This happened when consumption of wild-animal meat was banned in West Africa during 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic.
9/
June 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Attempts to regulate the wildlife trade must take people’s livelihoods into account—or risk driving the activity underground.
This happened when consumption of wild-animal meat was banned in West Africa during 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic.
9/
This happened when consumption of wild-animal meat was banned in West Africa during 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic.
9/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Understanding the risks of wildlife trade requires mapping the supply chain & human behaviours that enable zoonotic viruses to thrive & spread
Researchers are trying to understanding people’s perception of risks, their health-seeking behaviour, what they do when their animals are sick and why.
8/
Researchers are trying to understanding people’s perception of risks, their health-seeking behaviour, what they do when their animals are sick and why.
8/
June 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Understanding the risks of wildlife trade requires mapping the supply chain & human behaviours that enable zoonotic viruses to thrive & spread
Researchers are trying to understanding people’s perception of risks, their health-seeking behaviour, what they do when their animals are sick and why.
8/
Researchers are trying to understanding people’s perception of risks, their health-seeking behaviour, what they do when their animals are sick and why.
8/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Several teams, including @wcs.org and SVW, studied traded wildlife from source to destination
Their work has yielded an interesting pattern: the number & diversity of potential pathogens in those animals, including coronaviruses, seem to have got concentrated & amplified along the supply chain
7/
Their work has yielded an interesting pattern: the number & diversity of potential pathogens in those animals, including coronaviruses, seem to have got concentrated & amplified along the supply chain
7/
June 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Several teams, including @wcs.org and SVW, studied traded wildlife from source to destination
Their work has yielded an interesting pattern: the number & diversity of potential pathogens in those animals, including coronaviruses, seem to have got concentrated & amplified along the supply chain
7/
Their work has yielded an interesting pattern: the number & diversity of potential pathogens in those animals, including coronaviruses, seem to have got concentrated & amplified along the supply chain
7/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
At the wildlife rescue center at Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam (www.cucphuongtourism.com.vn), run by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (svw.vn), I had the opportunity of witnessing how pangolin meals were prepared, and even got to take part in a feeding session one evening.
6/
6/
June 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
At the wildlife rescue center at Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam (www.cucphuongtourism.com.vn), run by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (svw.vn), I had the opportunity of witnessing how pangolin meals were prepared, and even got to take part in a feeding session one evening.
6/
6/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
I had first-hand encounter with confiscated pangolins at a rescue center run by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (svw.vn)
One pangolin had to have its left hind leg amputated due to an injury caused by a snare
It was a privilege to take part in a feeding session and witness the animals in action
5/
One pangolin had to have its left hind leg amputated due to an injury caused by a snare
It was a privilege to take part in a feeding session and witness the animals in action
5/
June 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I had first-hand encounter with confiscated pangolins at a rescue center run by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (svw.vn)
One pangolin had to have its left hind leg amputated due to an injury caused by a snare
It was a privilege to take part in a feeding session and witness the animals in action
5/
One pangolin had to have its left hind leg amputated due to an injury caused by a snare
It was a privilege to take part in a feeding session and witness the animals in action
5/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Traded wild animals are often sick & teeming with potential pathogens
Several Chinese teams found coronaviruses in confiscated pangolins, including those that share 92% of their genome with SARS-CoV-2
The viruses caused covid-like symptoms in pangolins, and have the potential to infect humans
4/
Several Chinese teams found coronaviruses in confiscated pangolins, including those that share 92% of their genome with SARS-CoV-2
The viruses caused covid-like symptoms in pangolins, and have the potential to infect humans
4/
June 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Traded wild animals are often sick & teeming with potential pathogens
Several Chinese teams found coronaviruses in confiscated pangolins, including those that share 92% of their genome with SARS-CoV-2
The viruses caused covid-like symptoms in pangolins, and have the potential to infect humans
4/
Several Chinese teams found coronaviruses in confiscated pangolins, including those that share 92% of their genome with SARS-CoV-2
The viruses caused covid-like symptoms in pangolins, and have the potential to infect humans
4/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Some scientists like @jw132.bsky.social recognise the “small possibility” that research-associated activities could have triggered the pandemic.
But that “should not prevent us for focusing on the bigger picture”: the wildlife trade poses a much greater zoonotic risk than do lab accidents.
3/
But that “should not prevent us for focusing on the bigger picture”: the wildlife trade poses a much greater zoonotic risk than do lab accidents.
3/
June 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Some scientists like @jw132.bsky.social recognise the “small possibility” that research-associated activities could have triggered the pandemic.
But that “should not prevent us for focusing on the bigger picture”: the wildlife trade poses a much greater zoonotic risk than do lab accidents.
3/
But that “should not prevent us for focusing on the bigger picture”: the wildlife trade poses a much greater zoonotic risk than do lab accidents.
3/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Like it or not,such human-wildlife interfaces are here to stay
Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int
“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”
2/
Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int
“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”
2/
June 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Like it or not,such human-wildlife interfaces are here to stay
Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int
“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”
2/
Without understanding how viruses jump species & why some jumps cause outbreaks & others don’t,you’re really flying blind,says @mvankerkhove.bsky.social @who.int
“You’re making recommendations that may not be the most appropriate”
2/
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Wildlife trade acts as a vast global network of unregulated natural laboratories,with ample opportunities for viruses to circulate & evolve to become more dangerous
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic
Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.
www.nature.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Wildlife trade acts as a vast global network of unregulated natural laboratories,with ample opportunities for viruses to circulate & evolve to become more dangerous
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We can either turn a blind eye or try to understand & mitigate the risks
My latest in @nature.com
1/
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
I was a scientific advisor for the 2011 film "Contagion," written by Scott Burns. Tomorrow we'll have a panel discussion at the Tribeca Film Festival asking what would happen if we had A.I. write a sequel.
tribecafilm.com/films/world-...
tribecafilm.com/films/world-...
World Premiere of Audible’s What Could Go Wrong? | 2025 Tribeca Festival | Tribeca
Join Scott Z. Burns, the acclaimed screenwriter of Contagion, as he embarks on a mind-bending quest to create a worthy follow-up to his eerily prophetic film. Reuniting with director Steven Soderbergh...
tribecafilm.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I was a scientific advisor for the 2011 film "Contagion," written by Scott Burns. Tomorrow we'll have a panel discussion at the Tribeca Film Festival asking what would happen if we had A.I. write a sequel.
tribecafilm.com/films/world-...
tribecafilm.com/films/world-...
Reposted by Jane Qiu, PhD
Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose
https://go.nature.com/455pSTt
https://go.nature.com/455pSTt
Exclusive: Inside the thriving wild-animal markets that could start the next pandemic
Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose.
go.nature.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Live-animal markets are a natural laboratory for viruses to evolve and spark deadly outbreaks, yet scientists lack support to study the risks they pose
https://go.nature.com/455pSTt
https://go.nature.com/455pSTt