Marc Robinson-Rechavi
@marcrr.bsky.social
He/Him. Evolution and Bioinformatics. Posts mine alone, in English (mostly) & French. Chair of @dee-unil.bsky.social, Prof at @fbm-unil.bsky.social, group leader at @sib.swiss. PI of @bgee.org
🦣 Main account: https://ecoevo.social/@marcrr
🦣 Main account: https://ecoevo.social/@marcrr
Pinned
Marc Robinson-Rechavi
@marcrr.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Pluralistic: Bluesky and enshittification (02 Nov 2024) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
Given the afflux of new science peeps here, and the lack of a similar increase of users at Mastodon, I'll post both here and there for the time being. Although I'm not convinced this place can escape the issues which affect any corporate owned social media pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
Congratulations to @nextstrain.bsky.social for this great paper! Studying the evolution of moulting beyond insects has been challenging, and we are starting to see how moulting is both deeply conserved and evolving differently in pancrustacean lineages.
New Preprint!! 🦐🪰🦀
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 20, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Congratulations to @nextstrain.bsky.social for this great paper! Studying the evolution of moulting beyond insects has been challenging, and we are starting to see how moulting is both deeply conserved and evolving differently in pancrustacean lineages.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Mark Blaxter from @sangerinstitute.bsky.social describes the ambition of the @ebpgenome.bsky.social to #Biology26 in Switzerland
February 13, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Mark Blaxter from @sangerinstitute.bsky.social describes the ambition of the @ebpgenome.bsky.social to #Biology26 in Switzerland
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
The reason why it's so hard to get through to anyone steeped in Creationism pseudoscience at any level isn't just that their conclusion is pre-decided in advance and the arguments back-formulated to fit it, it's that *they think that's what everyone does*.
February 3, 2026 at 6:53 AM
The reason why it's so hard to get through to anyone steeped in Creationism pseudoscience at any level isn't just that their conclusion is pre-decided in advance and the arguments back-formulated to fit it, it's that *they think that's what everyone does*.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Moulting combines deeply conserved metabolic and developmental pathways with lineage-specific gene modules related to exoskeleton formation, potentially facilitating adaptation of the exoskeleton to lineage-specific ecological contexts.
6/6
6/6
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Moulting combines deeply conserved metabolic and developmental pathways with lineage-specific gene modules related to exoskeleton formation, potentially facilitating adaptation of the exoskeleton to lineage-specific ecological contexts.
6/6
6/6
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
This lineage specific signatures are highly expressed in the middle of the moulting process exhibiting an inverse hourglass pattern. Mid-moult stages recruit younger genes related to:
•Cuticle development
•Pigmentation
•Sensory structure formation
•Chitin-based extracellular matrix components
(5/6)
•Cuticle development
•Pigmentation
•Sensory structure formation
•Chitin-based extracellular matrix components
(5/6)
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This lineage specific signatures are highly expressed in the middle of the moulting process exhibiting an inverse hourglass pattern. Mid-moult stages recruit younger genes related to:
•Cuticle development
•Pigmentation
•Sensory structure formation
•Chitin-based extracellular matrix components
(5/6)
•Cuticle development
•Pigmentation
•Sensory structure formation
•Chitin-based extracellular matrix components
(5/6)
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Despite recovering a conserved set of genes majority of the DEGs during ecdysis are lineage specific.
(4/6)
(4/6)
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Despite recovering a conserved set of genes majority of the DEGs during ecdysis are lineage specific.
(4/6)
(4/6)
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
In addition various genes involved in energy metabolism, tissue morphogenesis and immune/and melanization related genes are also co-expressed during ecdysis.
(3/6)
(3/6)
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
In addition various genes involved in energy metabolism, tissue morphogenesis and immune/and melanization related genes are also co-expressed during ecdysis.
(3/6)
(3/6)
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
We identified various DEGs that are shared across lineages, including genes involved in:
• Ecdysteroid metabolism and transporters
• Chitin synthesis & cuticle organization
• Post-ecdysial processes
(2/6)
• Ecdysteroid metabolism and transporters
• Chitin synthesis & cuticle organization
• Post-ecdysial processes
(2/6)
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
We identified various DEGs that are shared across lineages, including genes involved in:
• Ecdysteroid metabolism and transporters
• Chitin synthesis & cuticle organization
• Post-ecdysial processes
(2/6)
• Ecdysteroid metabolism and transporters
• Chitin synthesis & cuticle organization
• Post-ecdysial processes
(2/6)
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
New Preprint!! 🦐🪰🦀
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
February 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
New Preprint!! 🦐🪰🦀
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans
Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
this is basically a rant about llms being described (accurately) as next token prediction but failing to provide a substantial argument/evidence why it is incorrect/misleading
5/
5/
February 18, 2026 at 4:59 PM
this is basically a rant about llms being described (accurately) as next token prediction but failing to provide a substantial argument/evidence why it is incorrect/misleading
5/
5/
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Antibiotics are one of the greatest discoveries of the modern medical age (along with vaccines)
February 17, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Antibiotics are one of the greatest discoveries of the modern medical age (along with vaccines)
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
before antibiotics did people just die all the time from everything?
February 17, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
🟢 Are you a researcher in #Switzerland involved in collecting species observations #data ? 🗺️🦋🐸🦉
🟣 Then you can help assess the needs, practices, & challenges on Swiss #biodiversity data mobilisation, publication, & sharing !
🔵 How ? Fill this short survey: form.jotform.com/253342763497...
🟣 Then you can help assess the needs, practices, & challenges on Swiss #biodiversity data mobilisation, publication, & sharing !
🔵 How ? Fill this short survey: form.jotform.com/253342763497...
BIODIVERSITY DATA MOBILIZATION INTO GBIF
Please click the link to complete this form.
form.jotform.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:50 PM
🟢 Are you a researcher in #Switzerland involved in collecting species observations #data ? 🗺️🦋🐸🦉
🟣 Then you can help assess the needs, practices, & challenges on Swiss #biodiversity data mobilisation, publication, & sharing !
🔵 How ? Fill this short survey: form.jotform.com/253342763497...
🟣 Then you can help assess the needs, practices, & challenges on Swiss #biodiversity data mobilisation, publication, & sharing !
🔵 How ? Fill this short survey: form.jotform.com/253342763497...
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Although I actually agree that students got a rough deal during the pandemic, it's very difficult to read these accounts of them taking legal action because they think what was provided was not worth the money they paid for it. The hours and hours spent recording and editing lectures in lockdown...
More universities face Covid legal action after UCL settlement.
Campaign group representing 170,000 current and former students sends pre-action letters to 36 institutions.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Campaign group representing 170,000 current and former students sends pre-action letters to 36 institutions.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
More universities face Covid legal action after UCL settlement - Research Professional News
Campaign group representing 170,000 current and former students sends pre-action letters to 36 institutions
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Although I actually agree that students got a rough deal during the pandemic, it's very difficult to read these accounts of them taking legal action because they think what was provided was not worth the money they paid for it. The hours and hours spent recording and editing lectures in lockdown...
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
All while educators were also often home schooling, caring for people with COVID, some taught through having COVID themselves, coping with isolation, quarantine. We all know the toll of those times.
Everyone was trying their best. Was it good enough? But it was often the best they could do.
Everyone was trying their best. Was it good enough? But it was often the best they could do.
February 17, 2026 at 10:10 AM
All while educators were also often home schooling, caring for people with COVID, some taught through having COVID themselves, coping with isolation, quarantine. We all know the toll of those times.
Everyone was trying their best. Was it good enough? But it was often the best they could do.
Everyone was trying their best. Was it good enough? But it was often the best they could do.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
It was hard. People tried their best. It was unprecedented. Those trying to deliver the teaching were also living through it.
Educators love to educate. The pivot to online teaching was insanely fast. New technologies were learned. Entire new ways of teaching delivery made.
Educators love to educate. The pivot to online teaching was insanely fast. New technologies were learned. Entire new ways of teaching delivery made.
February 17, 2026 at 10:10 AM
It was hard. People tried their best. It was unprecedented. Those trying to deliver the teaching were also living through it.
Educators love to educate. The pivot to online teaching was insanely fast. New technologies were learned. Entire new ways of teaching delivery made.
Educators love to educate. The pivot to online teaching was insanely fast. New technologies were learned. Entire new ways of teaching delivery made.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
The news about students seeking compensation from universities for COVID teaching has made me quite sad.
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
February 17, 2026 at 10:10 AM
The news about students seeking compensation from universities for COVID teaching has made me quite sad.
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
To be honest, I like the idea of an alternative Chinese zodiac using critters with similar names, like year of the tiger beetle or year of the dragonfly 😅🤔
February 17, 2026 at 11:58 AM
To be honest, I like the idea of an alternative Chinese zodiac using critters with similar names, like year of the tiger beetle or year of the dragonfly 😅🤔
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
i still can't accept the fact that we've cycled back to horse year so i'm declaring this to be the year of the horseshoe crab in defiance
February 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
i still can't accept the fact that we've cycled back to horse year so i'm declaring this to be the year of the horseshoe crab in defiance
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
I don't think many people appreciate the sheer scale of the shitstorm the software industry is in the process of churning up. Claude may be 5% of OSS code, but it and other tools now absolutely dominate closed source code, and we've known for a while that their output is filled with vulnerabilities
February 16, 2026 at 3:46 PM
I don't think many people appreciate the sheer scale of the shitstorm the software industry is in the process of churning up. Claude may be 5% of OSS code, but it and other tools now absolutely dominate closed source code, and we've known for a while that their output is filled with vulnerabilities
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
this is fine
https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116080909947754833
> So I started looking through Claude commits on GitHub, there’s over 2m of them and it’s about 5% of all open source code this month.
> I saw the same class of vulns being introduced over, and over, again - several a minute.
https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116080909947754833
> So I started looking through Claude commits on GitHub, there’s over 2m of them and it’s about 5% of all open source code this month.
> I saw the same class of vulns being introduced over, and over, again - several a minute.
Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog@cyberplace.social)
Today in InfoSec Job Security News:
I was looking into an obvious ../.. vulnerability introduced into a major web framework today, and it was committed by username Claude on GitHub. Vibe coded, basic...
cyberplace.social
February 16, 2026 at 3:28 PM
this is fine
https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116080909947754833
> So I started looking through Claude commits on GitHub, there’s over 2m of them and it’s about 5% of all open source code this month.
> I saw the same class of vulns being introduced over, and over, again - several a minute.
https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116080909947754833
> So I started looking through Claude commits on GitHub, there’s over 2m of them and it’s about 5% of all open source code this month.
> I saw the same class of vulns being introduced over, and over, again - several a minute.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the support of our institutional subscribers, all Royal Society subscription journals will be open access in 2026 through #S2O. Researchers can read all articles and publish #OpenAccess in our eight subscription journals for free buff.ly/4Lu9VpW
February 16, 2026 at 10:27 AM
We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the support of our institutional subscribers, all Royal Society subscription journals will be open access in 2026 through #S2O. Researchers can read all articles and publish #OpenAccess in our eight subscription journals for free buff.ly/4Lu9VpW
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Reposted by Marc Robinson-Rechavi
You may laugh, but the Macbeths are a much better role model for a marriage than Romeo and Juliet. They discuss their problems (killing the king of Scotland), share their hobbies (killing the king of Scotland), and resolve their conflicts (by killing the king of Scotland).
February 13, 2026 at 5:09 PM
You may laugh, but the Macbeths are a much better role model for a marriage than Romeo and Juliet. They discuss their problems (killing the king of Scotland), share their hobbies (killing the king of Scotland), and resolve their conflicts (by killing the king of Scotland).
