Sophien Kamoun
@kamounlab.bsky.social
Biologist @ The Sainsbury Lab; passionate about plant pathogens & evolution; open science advocate; loves travel, food and sports; nomad and hunter-gatherer. Web http://kamounlab.net | Medium https://medium.com/@kamounlab | GetGenome http://getgenome.net
Pinned
I just published: A Zeagroni for 2026 🌽🍸
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
I just published: A Zeagroni for 2026 🌽🍸
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
January 4, 2026 at 5:51 PM
I just published: A Zeagroni for 2026 🌽🍸
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
On writing as thinking, cocktails as cultural mashups, and why pauses matter. A brief New Year note before the blog goes quiet — and a glass is raised.
medium.com/p/a-zeagroni...
It’s icy in Norwich. Just heard my PhD student slipped on the ice. Don’t worry — the laptop is OK. 😝
January 4, 2026 at 4:17 PM
It’s icy in Norwich. Just heard my PhD student slipped on the ice. Don’t worry — the laptop is OK. 😝
It's that time of year when I go on an online detox in some not so secret location 😊📷 🌱 🐜 🐝 🦋 🦅 🦢 🏝️
Switched off X/twitter, bluesky, email etc. Happy Hols & New Year! Back Jan5
Meanwhile, here is a reflection on what 2025 was like👇🏼
Switched off X/twitter, bluesky, email etc. Happy Hols & New Year! Back Jan5
Meanwhile, here is a reflection on what 2025 was like👇🏼
I just published: 2025 the year in review
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
December 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
It's that time of year when I go on an online detox in some not so secret location 😊📷 🌱 🐜 🐝 🦋 🦅 🦢 🏝️
Switched off X/twitter, bluesky, email etc. Happy Hols & New Year! Back Jan5
Meanwhile, here is a reflection on what 2025 was like👇🏼
Switched off X/twitter, bluesky, email etc. Happy Hols & New Year! Back Jan5
Meanwhile, here is a reflection on what 2025 was like👇🏼
Brahim Dahak | La préparation du thé | 2001
L’ècole de Tunis animée par @NanoBanana 🇹🇳 fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89c...
L’ècole de Tunis animée par @NanoBanana 🇹🇳 fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89c...
December 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Brahim Dahak | La préparation du thé | 2001
L’ècole de Tunis animée par @NanoBanana 🇹🇳 fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89c...
L’ècole de Tunis animée par @NanoBanana 🇹🇳 fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89c...
I hear about it every time I click on something… @Cloudflare stocks.apple.com/AVodYgH7dR9O...
December 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I hear about it every time I click on something… @Cloudflare stocks.apple.com/AVodYgH7dR9O...
The Florentine Codex in Motion: 16th Century Aztec Farmer 🇲🇽 @NanoBanana en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florent...
December 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The Florentine Codex in Motion: 16th Century Aztec Farmer 🇲🇽 @NanoBanana en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florent...
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
🌍🚜👩🌾🌽🐄🥛Climate change will hit hard with new (or supercharged) weeds, pests and diseases while making current practices less efficient.
We know what research is needed, govts need to fund it.
Scientists must talk with farmers, consumers and decision makers. And cut the flashy buy flaky pseudocience.
We know what research is needed, govts need to fund it.
Scientists must talk with farmers, consumers and decision makers. And cut the flashy buy flaky pseudocience.
December 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM
🌍🚜👩🌾🌽🐄🥛Climate change will hit hard with new (or supercharged) weeds, pests and diseases while making current practices less efficient.
We know what research is needed, govts need to fund it.
Scientists must talk with farmers, consumers and decision makers. And cut the flashy buy flaky pseudocience.
We know what research is needed, govts need to fund it.
Scientists must talk with farmers, consumers and decision makers. And cut the flashy buy flaky pseudocience.
“At that moment, you are a scientist.”
December 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
“At that moment, you are a scientist.”
The key global crops, wheat, rice and maize, are expected to see the losses to pests increase by about 46%, 19% and 31% respectively when global heating reaches 2C 👇 www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘Borrowed time’: crop pests and food losses supercharged by climate crisis
Heating means pests breeding and spreading faster, warn scientists, with simplified current food system already vulnerable
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:57 AM
The key global crops, wheat, rice and maize, are expected to see the losses to pests increase by about 46%, 19% and 31% respectively when global heating reaches 2C 👇 www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
I just published: 2025 the year in review
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
December 20, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I just published: 2025 the year in review
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
It’s that time of year when we recap our team’s publications and other highlights.
medium.com/p/2025-the-y...
Cloudflare @cloudflare.social is killing the internet
December 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Cloudflare @cloudflare.social is killing the internet
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) provides fully funded scholarships forDPhil/PhD study at University of Oxford, where students directly aim to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Applications now open! www.eit.org/scholars/gra...
Graduate Scholarships | Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
Discover the graduate funding and collaboration opportunities at EIT Oxford. There are currently two pathways for full funding to pursue a DPhil/PhD at the University of Oxford. Doctoral students play...
www.eit.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) provides fully funded scholarships forDPhil/PhD study at University of Oxford, where students directly aim to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Applications now open! www.eit.org/scholars/gra...
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
I just published: GetGenome in 2025: onward and upward
2025 was a big year for @GetGenome. We doubled down on our mission to democratize genomics, connect early-career researchers, and amplify microbial voices from every corner of the planet.
medium.com/p/getgenome-...
2025 was a big year for @GetGenome. We doubled down on our mission to democratize genomics, connect early-career researchers, and amplify microbial voices from every corner of the planet.
medium.com/p/getgenome-...
GetGenome in 2025: onward and upward
2025 was a big year for GetGenome. We doubled down on our mission to democratize genomics, connect early-career researchers, and amplify…
medium.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I just published: GetGenome in 2025: onward and upward
2025 was a big year for @GetGenome. We doubled down on our mission to democratize genomics, connect early-career researchers, and amplify microbial voices from every corner of the planet.
medium.com/p/getgenome-...
2025 was a big year for @GetGenome. We doubled down on our mission to democratize genomics, connect early-career researchers, and amplify microbial voices from every corner of the planet.
medium.com/p/getgenome-...
THE DOCTORS
CAN’T STOP GENOCIDE
THE WORLD’S LEADERS CAN
Condesa, CDMX 🇲🇽 🇵🇸
CAN’T STOP GENOCIDE
THE WORLD’S LEADERS CAN
Condesa, CDMX 🇲🇽 🇵🇸
December 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
THE DOCTORS
CAN’T STOP GENOCIDE
THE WORLD’S LEADERS CAN
Condesa, CDMX 🇲🇽 🇵🇸
CAN’T STOP GENOCIDE
THE WORLD’S LEADERS CAN
Condesa, CDMX 🇲🇽 🇵🇸
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
New preprint on pop #genomics of #spittlebug—the main insect vector of Xylella, the bacterium that has ravaged olive groves in southern Italy 🇮🇹 🫒
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
We have a new preprint!
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
Whole-Genome Population Genomics Reveals Lineage Structure and Adaptive Potential of Philaenus spumarius, the Principal Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.12.693891v1
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
New preprint on pop #genomics of #spittlebug—the main insect vector of Xylella, the bacterium that has ravaged olive groves in southern Italy 🇮🇹 🫒
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
We have a new preprint!
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
Whole-Genome Population Genomics Reveals Lineage Structure and Adaptive Potential of Philaenus spumarius, the Principal Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.12.693891v1
December 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
We have a new preprint!
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
In Praise of Experts
“AI is about to flood the internet (and the scientific literature) with even more content. Some of it will be brilliant…Much of it will be mediocre. A lot of it will be confidently wrong.…The risk is that we end up…where nonsense begets more nonsense…passed off as insight.”
“AI is about to flood the internet (and the scientific literature) with even more content. Some of it will be brilliant…Much of it will be mediocre. A lot of it will be confidently wrong.…The risk is that we end up…where nonsense begets more nonsense…passed off as insight.”
December 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In Praise of Experts
“AI is about to flood the internet (and the scientific literature) with even more content. Some of it will be brilliant…Much of it will be mediocre. A lot of it will be confidently wrong.…The risk is that we end up…where nonsense begets more nonsense…passed off as insight.”
“AI is about to flood the internet (and the scientific literature) with even more content. Some of it will be brilliant…Much of it will be mediocre. A lot of it will be confidently wrong.…The risk is that we end up…where nonsense begets more nonsense…passed off as insight.”
Shoutout to @annualreviews.bsky.social
“In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.”
New blog 👇🏾
“In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.”
New blog 👇🏾
I just published: In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.
medium.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Shoutout to @annualreviews.bsky.social
“In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.”
New blog 👇🏾
“In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.”
New blog 👇🏾
Reposted by Sophien Kamoun
I just published: In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.
medium.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"If you want to live a happy life, tie to a goal, not to a person or an object" — Alberto Einsteino
December 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
"If you want to live a happy life, tie to a goal, not to a person or an object" — Alberto Einsteino
I just published: In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more than ever.
medium.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I just published: In praise of experts: distinguishing sense from nonsense in the age of AI
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
Can chatbots flag bad science? In a sea of polished, plausible noise, expertise matters more
than ever.
medium.com/p/in-praise-...
We live in a matcha world. And don’t like it.
December 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
We live in a matcha world. And don’t like it.
December 14, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Stunning #MexFood 🇲🇽 dinner at @ Raiz (roots) in Polanco CDM. Highlight: escamoles—ant eggs, a.k.a. caviar with attitude. 🐜✨ www.restauranteraiz.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Stunning #MexFood 🇲🇽 dinner at @ Raiz (roots) in Polanco CDM. Highlight: escamoles—ant eggs, a.k.a. caviar with attitude. 🐜✨ www.restauranteraiz.com