Christopher Wheat
@chriswheat.bsky.social
Ecological & Evolutionary Functional Genomics, mostly butterflies. Biology Professor, Stockholm University.
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Do you work (/want to work) with caterpillars? Or sensory systems? Or BOTH?! Well good golly do we have the paper for you! We explain the senses that caterpillars have, what they use them for, and how anthropogenic sensory pollution might be messing it all up 🐛 doi.org/10.1007/s003...
The sensory ecology of caterpillars - Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Caterpillars (larval Lepidoptera) are one of the most ecologically and evolutionarily significant taxa on Earth. As both feeders and food, they shape the dynamics of enumerate ecosystems on land. Key ...
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Do you work (/want to work) with caterpillars? Or sensory systems? Or BOTH?! Well good golly do we have the paper for you! We explain the senses that caterpillars have, what they use them for, and how anthropogenic sensory pollution might be messing it all up 🐛 doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
A really good thread on adjusting your bsky filter settings, which you might not know are set to be fully on by default!
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A really good thread on adjusting your bsky filter settings, which you might not know are set to be fully on by default!
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
👇Check out this article about our work in the Italian Alps and Barcelona, where we’re studying moth and butterfly genomes as part of @projectpsyche.bsky.social ’s goal to sequence every species in Europe 🦋🧬
#10kLepGenomes #Genomics #Lepidoptera
#10kLepGenomes #Genomics #Lepidoptera
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 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
👇Check out this article about our work in the Italian Alps and Barcelona, where we’re studying moth and butterfly genomes as part of @projectpsyche.bsky.social ’s goal to sequence every species in Europe 🦋🧬
#10kLepGenomes #Genomics #Lepidoptera
#10kLepGenomes #Genomics #Lepidoptera
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
We are excited to welcome new members to our network of affiliated initiatives!
🦋 @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to sequence the genomes of all butterflies and moths of Europe, supporting their conservation, protection and driving innovation.
🦋 Learn more: www.projectpsyche.org #Lepidoptera
🦋 @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to sequence the genomes of all butterflies and moths of Europe, supporting their conservation, protection and driving innovation.
🦋 Learn more: www.projectpsyche.org #Lepidoptera
November 7, 2025 at 1:40 PM
We are excited to welcome new members to our network of affiliated initiatives!
🦋 @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to sequence the genomes of all butterflies and moths of Europe, supporting their conservation, protection and driving innovation.
🦋 Learn more: www.projectpsyche.org #Lepidoptera
🦋 @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to sequence the genomes of all butterflies and moths of Europe, supporting their conservation, protection and driving innovation.
🦋 Learn more: www.projectpsyche.org #Lepidoptera
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
I hadnt seen this particular take on this story till now. A minimalist apology. Not impressed.
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
Shamed Scientist Apologises For The First Time About The Academic Scandal That Destroyed His Career And Shocked The World
An ecologist who shot to fame after discovering that spiders have human-like personalities has made an emotional apology after being
nationalnews.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I hadnt seen this particular take on this story till now. A minimalist apology. Not impressed.
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
I think I understand how it can be that LLMs are both exceptionally good and quite terrible at programming. It's because there are two entirely different skillsets that we both call "good at programming." LLMs have only one of them.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/llms-excel...
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/llms-excel...
LLMs excel at programming—how can they be so bad at it?
My explanation for the mystery of why LLMs can be both exceptionally good and quite terrible at programming.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I think I understand how it can be that LLMs are both exceptionally good and quite terrible at programming. It's because there are two entirely different skillsets that we both call "good at programming." LLMs have only one of them.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/llms-excel...
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/llms-excel...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Community competitions help benchmark approaches in computational biology. Struck et al. now present GHIST 2024 - The First Genomic History Inference Strategies Tournament, for the inference of evolutionary history from genome data.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf257
#evobio #molbio #compbio #popgen
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf257
#evobio #molbio #compbio #popgen
November 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Community competitions help benchmark approaches in computational biology. Struck et al. now present GHIST 2024 - The First Genomic History Inference Strategies Tournament, for the inference of evolutionary history from genome data.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf257
#evobio #molbio #compbio #popgen
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf257
#evobio #molbio #compbio #popgen
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Species invasions often create a "founder effect" that makes it hard to see effects of adaptation to the invaded habitat— genomic signals of a rapid post-bottleneck expansion look a lot like signals of adaptation. This study of European starlings teases those signals apart! 🌿🪶
buff.ly/4RopxHb
buff.ly/4RopxHb
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Species invasions often create a "founder effect" that makes it hard to see effects of adaptation to the invaded habitat— genomic signals of a rapid post-bottleneck expansion look a lot like signals of adaptation. This study of European starlings teases those signals apart! 🌿🪶
buff.ly/4RopxHb
buff.ly/4RopxHb
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
It is so nice to finally see the first paper of my PhD published! It was possible thanks to invaluable contributions of Andrea Chiocchio, @mariaheikkila.bsky.social, @jadrankarota.bsky.social, Lauri Kaila, and @lepphylo.bsky.social.
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 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
It is so nice to finally see the first paper of my PhD published! It was possible thanks to invaluable contributions of Andrea Chiocchio, @mariaheikkila.bsky.social, @jadrankarota.bsky.social, Lauri Kaila, and @lepphylo.bsky.social.
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
At the workshop on #Phylogenomics and #Evolutionary Genomics, @nclark.bsky.social will be giving a lecture and lab on linking #genotype-to-phenotype in a #phylogenetic framework
Space is limited - register today to ensure your attendance!
Registration link: evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Space is limited - register today to ensure your attendance!
Registration link: evomics.org/apply-worksh...
October 30, 2025 at 6:48 PM
At the workshop on #Phylogenomics and #Evolutionary Genomics, @nclark.bsky.social will be giving a lecture and lab on linking #genotype-to-phenotype in a #phylogenetic framework
Space is limited - register today to ensure your attendance!
Registration link: evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Space is limited - register today to ensure your attendance!
Registration link: evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
@guyleonard.bsky.social et al. report a near-complete genome and transcriptome sequence dataset for green algae host Paramecium bursaria, an endosymbiotic model system.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf183
#genome #evolution
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf183
#genome #evolution
De Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the RNAi-Tractable Paramecium bursaria 186b: An Endosymbiotic Model System
Abstract. How two species engage in stable endosymbiosis is a biological quandary. The study of facultative endosymbiotic interactions has emerged as a use
doi.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:54 AM
@guyleonard.bsky.social et al. report a near-complete genome and transcriptome sequence dataset for green algae host Paramecium bursaria, an endosymbiotic model system.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf183
#genome #evolution
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaf183
#genome #evolution
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Incredible paper - Genomic architecture of eggmimicry and its consequencesfor speciation in parasitic cuckoos www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.... and a great commentary here www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.... @btobirds.bsky.social
Genomic architecture of egg mimicry and its consequences for speciation in parasitic cuckoos
Host-parasite arms races facilitate rapid evolution and can fuel speciation. Cuculus cuckoos are deceptive egg mimics that exhibit a broad diversity of counterfeit egg phenotypes, representing host-ad...
www.science.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Incredible paper - Genomic architecture of eggmimicry and its consequencesfor speciation in parasitic cuckoos www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.... and a great commentary here www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.... @btobirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Come join the Workshop on Phylogenomics in Cesky Krumlov, Czechia, from January 25 through February 7, 2026!
Applications close November 15!
#phylogenetics #evolution #genomics #ai
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Applications close November 15!
#phylogenetics #evolution #genomics #ai
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Apply: Workshop on Phylogenomics 2026 - Evolution and Genomics
Application for the 2026 Workshop on Phylogenomics Use this form to apply for the 2026 Workshop on Phylogenomics being held in Cesky Krumlov, Czechia from 25th January through 7th February, ...
evomics.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Come join the Workshop on Phylogenomics in Cesky Krumlov, Czechia, from January 25 through February 7, 2026!
Applications close November 15!
#phylogenetics #evolution #genomics #ai
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Applications close November 15!
#phylogenetics #evolution #genomics #ai
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Why fundamental research is fundamental to progress, seeding major breakthroughs
Editorial @nature.com this week
And 7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/d41...
Editorial @nature.com this week
And 7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/d41...
October 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Why fundamental research is fundamental to progress, seeding major breakthroughs
Editorial @nature.com this week
And 7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/d41...
Editorial @nature.com this week
And 7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
A young PI here in Mainz has a fabulous PhD position that will be filled soon! By you? Keywords: Social insects, ageing, gene expression. www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
Behavioural Ecology and Social Evolution
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de
October 29, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A young PI here in Mainz has a fabulous PhD position that will be filled soon! By you? Keywords: Social insects, ageing, gene expression. www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
A personal favorite, long time in the making. Adelina and David (@dduneau.bsky.social) were instrumental in getting this done.
doi.org/10.1186/s129...
doi.org/10.1186/s129...
Wound-induced eyespots on butterfly wings at the intersection of immune response and pigmentation development - BMC Biology
Background Butterfly eyespots are striking examples of evolutionary novelty arising through the repurposing of ancestral genetic pathways, including pathways involved in wound healing. Given the activ...
doi.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A personal favorite, long time in the making. Adelina and David (@dduneau.bsky.social) were instrumental in getting this done.
doi.org/10.1186/s129...
doi.org/10.1186/s129...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
This preprint shows that the huge recent progress of non-coding effect predictions is likely going to help tremendously in this area. A must read.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 29, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This preprint shows that the huge recent progress of non-coding effect predictions is likely going to help tremendously in this area. A must read.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Reid et al. use empirically-based theoretical modeling to show how immigration rate affects the competing outcomes of evolutionary rescue, inbreeding-induced extinction vortex and migrational meltdown.
Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Multiple Genetic Impacts of Immigration Interact to Shape Local Population Persistence versus Extinction: Evolutionary Rescue, Inbreeding Vortex, and Migrational Meltdown | The American Naturalist
Abstract Major ongoing theoretical and empirical challenges are to predict impacts of immigration on extinction probabilities of remaining populations within fragmented habitats. Comprehensive predict...
www.journals.uchicago.edu
October 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reid et al. use empirically-based theoretical modeling to show how immigration rate affects the competing outcomes of evolutionary rescue, inbreeding-induced extinction vortex and migrational meltdown.
Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Read now ahead of print!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Brilliant use of gfp-tagged transposons & automated scoring of kernels, combined with differential style-lengths along maize ear, to screen for genes underlying pollen competition in maize. Diana gave a banger of a presentation on this in #Zeavolution this morning. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Brilliant use of gfp-tagged transposons & automated scoring of kernels, combined with differential style-lengths along maize ear, to screen for genes underlying pollen competition in maize. Diana gave a banger of a presentation on this in #Zeavolution this morning. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Claire Merot opens the afternoon session at the #biodiversity25 with a presentation about the structural genetic diversity across the tree of life. Structural variants (SVs) are in order de magnitude higher than SNPs. TEs accounts for many SVs. SVs are different across different lineages.
October 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Claire Merot opens the afternoon session at the #biodiversity25 with a presentation about the structural genetic diversity across the tree of life. Structural variants (SVs) are in order de magnitude higher than SNPs. TEs accounts for many SVs. SVs are different across different lineages.
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
With help of international colleagues at @jgi.doe.gov, @oregonstate.edu, and @stockholm-uni.bsky.social, we are relasing new parameters for Tiberius. Thx to Lars Gabriel, @tomasbruna.bsky.social, Samuel Talbot, @chriswheat.bsky.social, @masta.bsky.social - and many others. github.com/Gaius-August...
Release v1.1.7 · Gaius-Augustus/Tiberius
⚠️ New Models available:
Diatoms
Eudicotyledons
Lepidoptera
Monocotyledonae
Mucoromycota
Saccharomycota
Sordariomycota
Several bugfixes.
github.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
With help of international colleagues at @jgi.doe.gov, @oregonstate.edu, and @stockholm-uni.bsky.social, we are relasing new parameters for Tiberius. Thx to Lars Gabriel, @tomasbruna.bsky.social, Samuel Talbot, @chriswheat.bsky.social, @masta.bsky.social - and many others. github.com/Gaius-August...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
My main PhD work @monteirolab.bsky.social is now in @natecoevo.nature.com! We found a Hox gene promoter that helps butterflies🦋adjust their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures🍃🍂, shedding light on the evolutionary origin of phenotypic plasticity. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
My main PhD work @monteirolab.bsky.social is now in @natecoevo.nature.com! We found a Hox gene promoter that helps butterflies🦋adjust their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures🍃🍂, shedding light on the evolutionary origin of phenotypic plasticity. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
🦟 From October 13-15, a broad group of researchers met in Houston (USA) for the SMBE Satellite Meeting on Evolutionary Biochemistry of Insect Antimicrobial Peptides to discuss the evolution, molecular mechanisms, and translational potential of AMPs.
October 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
🦟 From October 13-15, a broad group of researchers met in Houston (USA) for the SMBE Satellite Meeting on Evolutionary Biochemistry of Insect Antimicrobial Peptides to discuss the evolution, molecular mechanisms, and translational potential of AMPs.
Reposted by Christopher Wheat
Have you recently read about a particular field in depth? Perhaps you have just finished your PhD thesis?
@jevbio.bsky.social is seeking Review Articles!
Find out more about Reviews and Target Reviews at JEB here:
academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/re...
@jevbio.bsky.social is seeking Review Articles!
Find out more about Reviews and Target Reviews at JEB here:
academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/re...
October 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Have you recently read about a particular field in depth? Perhaps you have just finished your PhD thesis?
@jevbio.bsky.social is seeking Review Articles!
Find out more about Reviews and Target Reviews at JEB here:
academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/re...
@jevbio.bsky.social is seeking Review Articles!
Find out more about Reviews and Target Reviews at JEB here:
academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/re...