Joana Meier
@joanameier.bsky.social
Group leader and Royal Society URF @Wellcome Sanger Institute
Branco Weiss fellow @University of Cambridge
speciation, genomics, hybridisation
Branco Weiss fellow @University of Cambridge
speciation, genomics, hybridisation
Reposted by Joana Meier
Just over a month left to apply for scholarships on this project. We will run internal pre-selection interviews end of November, so if you consider applying, please reach out now. I can guarantee amazing scientific and intellectual environment at the Institute for Eco Evo @edinburghup.bsky.social
If you like genomics, speciation, and primates, this PhD position is for you! Unraveling the genomic architecture of speciation and gene flow in guenons, a diverse group of African monkeys. Funding through DTP. Do reach out with questions! #genomics #genome_assembly
evol.mcmaster.ca/brian/evoldi...
evol.mcmaster.ca/brian/evoldi...
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Just over a month left to apply for scholarships on this project. We will run internal pre-selection interviews end of November, so if you consider applying, please reach out now. I can guarantee amazing scientific and intellectual environment at the Institute for Eco Evo @edinburghup.bsky.social
Very happy about the article by Glenn Zorpette in IEEE Spectrum. He joined @projectpsyche.bsky.social during COST-funded @10klepgenomes.bsky.social fieldwork in Italy where we collected & preserved butterflies & moths for reference genomes @sangerinstitute.bsky.social, enjoyed learning & networking.
In July, our reporter traveled to the Italian Alps and to Barcelona, Spain, to observe researchers capturing moths and butterflies and then sequencing their genomes. It was all part of the most ambitious biology project ever: to sequence every species on Earth.
The Genome Revolution Takes Flight: Mapping the DNA of Europe’s Lepidoptera
An expedition in the Italian Alps unleashes advanced genome sequencing
spectrum.ieee.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Very happy about the article by Glenn Zorpette in IEEE Spectrum. He joined @projectpsyche.bsky.social during COST-funded @10klepgenomes.bsky.social fieldwork in Italy where we collected & preserved butterflies & moths for reference genomes @sangerinstitute.bsky.social, enjoyed learning & networking.
Reposted by Joana Meier
Gelechioidea, that superdiverse superfamily of Lepidoptera that has been a super mess taxonomically, finally gets some structure at the family level with phylogenomics! Read all about it in our article led by PhD student @etkayapar.bsky.social !
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Integrating Sanger and next‐generation sequencing data sheds light on phylogenetic relationships among gelechioid moths (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea)
The maximum-likelihood analysis of a phylogenomic dataset of 1767 protein-coding genes from 57 ingroup taxa yields a robust family-level topology for Gelechioidea, revealing novel among-family relat...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Gelechioidea, that superdiverse superfamily of Lepidoptera that has been a super mess taxonomically, finally gets some structure at the family level with phylogenomics! Read all about it in our article led by PhD student @etkayapar.bsky.social !
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Do you want to do a Masters in Evolutionary Biology? The call for applying to the MEME program is now open! MEME is a fantastic 2-year MSc between four European Universities on all areas of Evolutionary Biology. Apply and study in Sweden/France/the Netherlands/Germany/USA/Switzerland! www.evobio.eu
October 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Do you want to do a Masters in Evolutionary Biology? The call for applying to the MEME program is now open! MEME is a fantastic 2-year MSc between four European Universities on all areas of Evolutionary Biology. Apply and study in Sweden/France/the Netherlands/Germany/USA/Switzerland! www.evobio.eu
Only 4 days left to register for virtual participation at "Understanding Life: Using Large-scale Biodiversity Reference Genomes" 27-29 Oct. 4 half-days full of talks and discussions on biodiversity genomics: coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/unders... @eventswcs.bsky.social
Understanding Life: Using Largescale Biodiversity Reference Genomes — 20251027
Understanding life: Using largescale biodiversity reference genomes
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org
October 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Only 4 days left to register for virtual participation at "Understanding Life: Using Large-scale Biodiversity Reference Genomes" 27-29 Oct. 4 half-days full of talks and discussions on biodiversity genomics: coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/unders... @eventswcs.bsky.social
Celebrating the first 1000 genomes of Lepidoptera in Europe, sequenced at @sangerinstitute.bsky.social in collaboration with sampling hubs across the UK via the DToL project www.darwintreeoflife.org & across Europe via
@projectpsyche.bsky.social www.projectpsyche.org &
@10klepgenomes.bsky.social
@projectpsyche.bsky.social www.projectpsyche.org &
@10klepgenomes.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Celebrating the first 1000 genomes of Lepidoptera in Europe, sequenced at @sangerinstitute.bsky.social in collaboration with sampling hubs across the UK via the DToL project www.darwintreeoflife.org & across Europe via
@projectpsyche.bsky.social www.projectpsyche.org &
@10klepgenomes.bsky.social
@projectpsyche.bsky.social www.projectpsyche.org &
@10klepgenomes.bsky.social
Reposted by Joana Meier
We are also deeply saddened that the Madeiran Large White, Pieris wollastoni, is now officially extinct: it was last seen in 1986. The full report can be downloaded here www.bc-europe.eu/documents/68...
October 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
We are also deeply saddened that the Madeiran Large White, Pieris wollastoni, is now officially extinct: it was last seen in 1986. The full report can be downloaded here www.bc-europe.eu/documents/68...
Reposted by Joana Meier
“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.”
Diary of Anne Frank
January 13, 1943
Diary of Anne Frank
January 13, 1943
October 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.”
Diary of Anne Frank
January 13, 1943
Diary of Anne Frank
January 13, 1943
Reposted by Joana Meier
Whole Genome Sequencing Will Transform Our Understanding of Life. The Earth BioGenome Project is using cutting-edge tech like long-read sequencing to map the DNA of 1.8 million organisms. Researchers anticipate major discoveries in evolution and medicine.
Mass-Scale Genome Sequencing Will Change Our Understanding of Life
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence 1.8 million species. It's one of the most ambitious science projects ever, and it will revolutionize biology
spectrum.ieee.org
October 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Whole Genome Sequencing Will Transform Our Understanding of Life. The Earth BioGenome Project is using cutting-edge tech like long-read sequencing to map the DNA of 1.8 million organisms. Researchers anticipate major discoveries in evolution and medicine.
Reposted by Joana Meier
The ATLASea program is releasing its 100th genome assembly - cephalopods fans rejoice, it is for a Nautilus species.
Article in French:
www.mnhn.fr/fr/actualite...
Article in French:
www.mnhn.fr/fr/actualite...
Une 100e espèce séquencée dans le programme DIVE-Sea !
Le projet DIVE-Sea, qui a débuté en mars 2023, représente le premier volet du programme ATLASea qui vise à constituer un atlas des génomes d’espèces marines (algues, coraux, poissons, coquillages…) de...
www.mnhn.fr
October 3, 2025 at 6:54 AM
The ATLASea program is releasing its 100th genome assembly - cephalopods fans rejoice, it is for a Nautilus species.
Article in French:
www.mnhn.fr/fr/actualite...
Article in French:
www.mnhn.fr/fr/actualite...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Exciting news!
The next #PopGroup meeting will take place in Lille 🍟, France, 7–9 January 2026 – just 1 hour by train from London, Brussels, and Paris.
This year, PopGroup will also host ALPHY, the annual meeting of Evolutionary Genomics.
More info: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk
See you there !
The next #PopGroup meeting will take place in Lille 🍟, France, 7–9 January 2026 – just 1 hour by train from London, Brussels, and Paris.
This year, PopGroup will also host ALPHY, the annual meeting of Evolutionary Genomics.
More info: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk
See you there !
Population Genetics group 59
populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk
September 29, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Exciting news!
The next #PopGroup meeting will take place in Lille 🍟, France, 7–9 January 2026 – just 1 hour by train from London, Brussels, and Paris.
This year, PopGroup will also host ALPHY, the annual meeting of Evolutionary Genomics.
More info: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk
See you there !
The next #PopGroup meeting will take place in Lille 🍟, France, 7–9 January 2026 – just 1 hour by train from London, Brussels, and Paris.
This year, PopGroup will also host ALPHY, the annual meeting of Evolutionary Genomics.
More info: populationgeneticsgroup.org.uk
See you there !
Reposted by Joana Meier
Celebrating the first 1,000 sequenced genomes on @projectpsyche.bsky.social 😎🧬🦋 #ProjectPsyche #MothStitching
September 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Celebrating the first 1,000 sequenced genomes on @projectpsyche.bsky.social 😎🧬🦋 #ProjectPsyche #MothStitching
Reposted by Joana Meier
Looking for a PhD? I am advertising two industry sponsored PhD projects. One on black soldier fly genetics with #betabugs and another on searching insect biodiversity for novel enzymes #Syngenta. Get in touch if you are interested!! bbsrcdtp.lifesci.cam.ac.uk/available-ic...
Available iCASE projects | Cambridge Biosciences DTP PhD Programme
iCASE projects for academic year 2026-2027 line_divider.png Project: Understanding cellulose digestion by cryo-EM structure of cellulose microfibril-enzyme complexes Project reference: ICS-BIO-PD26 S...
bbsrcdtp.lifesci.cam.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Looking for a PhD? I am advertising two industry sponsored PhD projects. One on black soldier fly genetics with #betabugs and another on searching insect biodiversity for novel enzymes #Syngenta. Get in touch if you are interested!! bbsrcdtp.lifesci.cam.ac.uk/available-ic...
Reposted by Joana Meier
How many chromosomes can an animal have?
In our paper out now in @currentbiology.bsky.social we show that the Atlas blue butterfly has 229 chromosome pairs- the highest in diploid Metazoa! These arose by rapid autosome fragmentation while sex chromosomes stayed intact.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
In our paper out now in @currentbiology.bsky.social we show that the Atlas blue butterfly has 229 chromosome pairs- the highest in diploid Metazoa! These arose by rapid autosome fragmentation while sex chromosomes stayed intact.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Constraints on chromosome evolution revealed by the 229 chromosome pairs of the Atlas blue butterfly
The genome of the Atlas blue butterfly contains ten times more chromosomes than most
butterflies, and more than any other known diploid animal. Wright et al. show that
this extraordinary karyotype is ...
tinyurl.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
How many chromosomes can an animal have?
In our paper out now in @currentbiology.bsky.social we show that the Atlas blue butterfly has 229 chromosome pairs- the highest in diploid Metazoa! These arose by rapid autosome fragmentation while sex chromosomes stayed intact.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
In our paper out now in @currentbiology.bsky.social we show that the Atlas blue butterfly has 229 chromosome pairs- the highest in diploid Metazoa! These arose by rapid autosome fragmentation while sex chromosomes stayed intact.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Research into tiny charismatic peacock spiders makes the news!
BBC Breakfast this morning featured research by PhD candidate Jonah Walker and @joanameier.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
Find out more: bit.ly/3JUL5qF
BBC Breakfast this morning featured research by PhD candidate Jonah Walker and @joanameier.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
Find out more: bit.ly/3JUL5qF
September 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Research into tiny charismatic peacock spiders makes the news!
BBC Breakfast this morning featured research by PhD candidate Jonah Walker and @joanameier.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
Find out more: bit.ly/3JUL5qF
BBC Breakfast this morning featured research by PhD candidate Jonah Walker and @joanameier.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
Find out more: bit.ly/3JUL5qF
Good memories of fieldwork collecting butterflies and moths for @projectpsyche.bsky.social in Italy with lepidopterists from across Europe. We identified, dissected and preserved them onsite for optimal conditions to sequence reference genomes. In a few weeks we will reach 1000 genomes!
(1/7)🦋 A brief recap from Mals (Malles Venosta, Italy): In mid-July, over 50 experts from 19 European countries gathered for the first field workshop funded by the CA10KLepGenomes, aiming to sequence the genomes of all European Lepidoptera within @projectpsyche.bsky.social.
#10KLepGenomes
#10KLepGenomes
September 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Good memories of fieldwork collecting butterflies and moths for @projectpsyche.bsky.social in Italy with lepidopterists from across Europe. We identified, dissected and preserved them onsite for optimal conditions to sequence reference genomes. In a few weeks we will reach 1000 genomes!
Very exciting findings.
August 1, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Very exciting findings.
Huge thanks and congrats to @siluwang.bsky.social and Anne Yoder for organising this amazing special issue. It has been fun contributing and interacting with Silu, Anne and the authors of the other manuscripts, including in a Zoom "tea break" where we presented our projects to each other.
July 30, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Huge thanks and congrats to @siluwang.bsky.social and Anne Yoder for organising this amazing special issue. It has been fun contributing and interacting with Silu, Anne and the authors of the other manuscripts, including in a Zoom "tea break" where we presented our projects to each other.
Reposted by Joana Meier
Why do treehoppers look so weird?! Our latest paper, out this week in @pnas.org, suggests a perhaps unexpected reason - static electricity ⚡ We show that treehoppers can detect the electrostatic cues of predators and that their crazy shapes may boost their electrosensitivity! doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Electroreception in treehoppers: How extreme morphologies can increase electrical sensitivity | PNAS
The link between form and function of an organism’s morphology is usually apparent
or intuitive. However, some clades of organisms show remarkable ...
doi.org
July 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Why do treehoppers look so weird?! Our latest paper, out this week in @pnas.org, suggests a perhaps unexpected reason - static electricity ⚡ We show that treehoppers can detect the electrostatic cues of predators and that their crazy shapes may boost their electrosensitivity! doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Reposted by Joana Meier
New research on glasswing butterflies🦋 by an international team of researchers, including @joanameier.bsky.social and Prof @chrisjiggins.bsky.social offers fresh insights into insect evolution and may help shape more effective conservation of these species.
Read more: bit.ly/4oi4XUo
Read more: bit.ly/4oi4XUo
July 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
New research on glasswing butterflies🦋 by an international team of researchers, including @joanameier.bsky.social and Prof @chrisjiggins.bsky.social offers fresh insights into insect evolution and may help shape more effective conservation of these species.
Read more: bit.ly/4oi4XUo
Read more: bit.ly/4oi4XUo
Reposted by Joana Meier
A new study tracks the recent and rapid diversification of glasswing butterflies, which evolved within the last two million years in the tropics of South America.
Story:
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/geno...
Study:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Story:
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/geno...
Study:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
July 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
A new study tracks the recent and rapid diversification of glasswing butterflies, which evolved within the last two million years in the tropics of South America.
Story:
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/geno...
Study:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Story:
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/geno...
Study:
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Advances in computational methods for inferring networks from #genome-scale data and guidelines for deriving biological insights from #phylogenetic networks www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Phylogenetic networks empower biodiversity research | PNAS
Reticulate evolution has long been recognized as a key mechanism that contributes
to genetic and trait diversity. With the widespread availability ...
www.pnas.org
July 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Advances in computational methods for inferring networks from #genome-scale data and guidelines for deriving biological insights from #phylogenetic networks www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Experts have remapped the evolutionary tree of glasswing butterflies found across Central and South America, highlighting six new species.
This research helps track biodiversity and reveals genetic insights into how these insects evolve into new species.
sanger.ac.uk/news_item/re...
This research helps track biodiversity and reveals genetic insights into how these insects evolve into new species.
sanger.ac.uk/news_item/re...
July 29, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Experts have remapped the evolutionary tree of glasswing butterflies found across Central and South America, highlighting six new species.
This research helps track biodiversity and reveals genetic insights into how these insects evolve into new species.
sanger.ac.uk/news_item/re...
This research helps track biodiversity and reveals genetic insights into how these insects evolve into new species.
sanger.ac.uk/news_item/re...
Reposted by Joana Meier
Wanna see what it was REALLY like collecting data in the rainforest for our recent @pnas.org paper? I made a wee video about it, on YouTube now. As usual, thanks to my amazing field-assistant-turned-camera-operator Theodora for most of the sweaty Ecuadorean mug shots… 😇
youtu.be/6jNxgvK0kU0?...
youtu.be/6jNxgvK0kU0?...
Butterflies that look alike, see alike (PNAS paper 2025)
YouTube video by Benito's Explanations
youtu.be
July 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Wanna see what it was REALLY like collecting data in the rainforest for our recent @pnas.org paper? I made a wee video about it, on YouTube now. As usual, thanks to my amazing field-assistant-turned-camera-operator Theodora for most of the sweaty Ecuadorean mug shots… 😇
youtu.be/6jNxgvK0kU0?...
youtu.be/6jNxgvK0kU0?...