Matt McFarlane
@gtwobble.bsky.social
🇨🇦 Runner and Biochemist working on infectious disease diagnostics
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Nextstrain's daily-updated tree of SARS-CoV-2 genomes was my gateway into the world of viral phylogenetics in early 2020, and Nextstrain's beautiful interactive tree display is crucial to making usher.bio results usable. GISAID cutting off data harms global surveillance efforts. 🧵👇
On Oct 1, 2025, GISAID informed us that they had ended updates to the flat file of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences and associated metadata that we had used to update Nextstrain analyses since Feb 2020. GISAID's stated rationale was that their "resources are limited". 1/5
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Nextstrain's daily-updated tree of SARS-CoV-2 genomes was my gateway into the world of viral phylogenetics in early 2020, and Nextstrain's beautiful interactive tree display is crucial to making usher.bio results usable. GISAID cutting off data harms global surveillance efforts. 🧵👇
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Amazing work from @ostermanilya.bsky.social and @soreklab.bsky.social : phage-triggered genome degradation produces a signaling molecule that activates a cell-killing effector 😮
Time to rename the HAD+TM system we described a few years ago with @dbikard.bsky.social !
Time to rename the HAD+TM system we described a few years ago with @dbikard.bsky.social !
Bacteria can sense when a virus starts shredding their genome — by detecting methylated mononucleotides.
Here’s the story of how we discovered the Metis defense system 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Here’s the story of how we discovered the Metis defense system 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Amazing work from @ostermanilya.bsky.social and @soreklab.bsky.social : phage-triggered genome degradation produces a signaling molecule that activates a cell-killing effector 😮
Time to rename the HAD+TM system we described a few years ago with @dbikard.bsky.social !
Time to rename the HAD+TM system we described a few years ago with @dbikard.bsky.social !
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
extremely disappointing.
Nneka Ogwumike becomes the first active player to join the new Saudi-backed basketball league per AP News. apnews.com/article/ogwu...
Nneka Ogwumike signs with new women's basketball league Project B as WNBA contract talks persist
Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike has signed with Project B, a new professional women's basketball league.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
extremely disappointing.
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Really fascinating article. Prior to 2019, there were no GM crops in Nigeria. Now there are success stories for drought and pest resistant maize and pest resistant cotton+ cowpea, with ongoing trials for low nitrogen rice and nutritionally improved cassava.
press.asimov.com/articles/nig...
press.asimov.com/articles/nig...
Why Nigeria Accepted GMOs
Genetically modified crops are finding a foothold in the Global South, producing some unlikely leaders in agritech.
press.asimov.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Really fascinating article. Prior to 2019, there were no GM crops in Nigeria. Now there are success stories for drought and pest resistant maize and pest resistant cotton+ cowpea, with ongoing trials for low nitrogen rice and nutritionally improved cassava.
press.asimov.com/articles/nig...
press.asimov.com/articles/nig...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
And now NextStrain as well.
Next up, will GISAID start charging open-source community tools to have access?
That would completely shaft users who contributed to GISAID, where we never agreed to that and assumed GISAID would be good custodians of the data we contributed. They're not.
Next up, will GISAID start charging open-source community tools to have access?
That would completely shaft users who contributed to GISAID, where we never agreed to that and assumed GISAID would be good custodians of the data we contributed. They're not.
October 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
And now NextStrain as well.
Next up, will GISAID start charging open-source community tools to have access?
That would completely shaft users who contributed to GISAID, where we never agreed to that and assumed GISAID would be good custodians of the data we contributed. They're not.
Next up, will GISAID start charging open-source community tools to have access?
That would completely shaft users who contributed to GISAID, where we never agreed to that and assumed GISAID would be good custodians of the data we contributed. They're not.
Qu’elle horreur! “au moins le deux tiers de son discours a été livré dans la langue de Taylor Swift”
www.journaldequebec.com/2025/10/09/f...
www.journaldequebec.com/2025/10/09/f...
François Legault au Château Frontenac: un discours majoritairement «in English»
François Legault a prononcé un discours majoritairement en anglais devant un parterre de dignitaires américains et de gens d’affaires québécois
www.journaldequebec.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Qu’elle horreur! “au moins le deux tiers de son discours a été livré dans la langue de Taylor Swift”
www.journaldequebec.com/2025/10/09/f...
www.journaldequebec.com/2025/10/09/f...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
A new Nature Medicine study analyzing health records from >100 million people in the US offers compelling evidence that reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ,the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles may contribute to dementia risk.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Varicella-zoster virus reactivation and the risk of dementia - Nature Medicine
Large-scale longitudinal health records reveal consistent association of varicella-zoster virus reactivation with dementia.
www.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A new Nature Medicine study analyzing health records from >100 million people in the US offers compelling evidence that reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ,the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles may contribute to dementia risk.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Never wonder whether it's COVID or FLU again.
ANNOUNCING THE FIRST combo rapid tests FOR HOME, approved by Health Canada.
Detect COVID, FLU A, and FLU B with just one swab.
This is a great tool to have ready the next time a family member isn't feeling well.
ANNOUNCING THE FIRST combo rapid tests FOR HOME, approved by Health Canada.
Detect COVID, FLU A, and FLU B with just one swab.
This is a great tool to have ready the next time a family member isn't feeling well.
September 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
We really, truly must not wind the clock back and risk the lives of kids and families!!
September 18, 2025 at 5:49 AM
We really, truly must not wind the clock back and risk the lives of kids and families!!
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
@zachhensel.bsky.social and I have a new paper on the origin of SARS-CoV-2! 🧪
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
doi.org
September 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
@zachhensel.bsky.social and I have a new paper on the origin of SARS-CoV-2! 🧪
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
There are a lot of reviews on the topic already, so we tried to do something different: characterize "lab leak" scenarios, and directly address those on SARS-CoV-2's furin cleavage site.▫️1/9
doi.org/10.5802/crbi...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
This is the stuff. Not just expressing concern or requesting a dialogue.
But rather calling for RFK Jr. to be thrown out of an office that he is utterly unfit to hold, before he kills more innocent people.
But rather calling for RFK Jr. to be thrown out of an office that he is utterly unfit to hold, before he kills more innocent people.
RKF Jr. is a dangerous man who is determined to abuse his authority to act on truly terrifying conspiracy theories and disinformation—leaving us unprepared for the next deadly pandemic and snuffing out potential cures while he’s at it.
My full statement.
My full statement.
Senator Murray Calls for Immediate Firing of RFK Jr., Commends CDC Director Monarez’s Stand for Science and Public Health - Senator Patty Murray
Senator Murray: “If there are any adults left in the White House, it’s well past time they face reality… We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what’s left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the...
www.murray.senate.gov
August 28, 2025 at 1:19 AM
This is the stuff. Not just expressing concern or requesting a dialogue.
But rather calling for RFK Jr. to be thrown out of an office that he is utterly unfit to hold, before he kills more innocent people.
But rather calling for RFK Jr. to be thrown out of an office that he is utterly unfit to hold, before he kills more innocent people.
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
My lab's been attacked by an anti-wind group and their lawyers. They threatened the science funding of my whole university, to shut me and my undergraduate research assistants up.
NYT just covered it. 1/n
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/c...
NYT just covered it. 1/n
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/c...
Law Firm Pressures Brown University to Erase Research on Anti-Wind Groups
www.nytimes.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:32 AM
My lab's been attacked by an anti-wind group and their lawyers. They threatened the science funding of my whole university, to shut me and my undergraduate research assistants up.
NYT just covered it. 1/n
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/c...
NYT just covered it. 1/n
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/c...
Ah, yes, former Board member and ardent Theranos defender Bill Foege would know all about “people willing to accept drivel from those in positions of authority”
But he is right RFK is extremely dangerous
www.statnews.com/2025/08/18/r...
thehill.com/blogs/congre...
But he is right RFK is extremely dangerous
www.statnews.com/2025/08/18/r...
thehill.com/blogs/congre...
thehill.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Ah, yes, former Board member and ardent Theranos defender Bill Foege would know all about “people willing to accept drivel from those in positions of authority”
But he is right RFK is extremely dangerous
www.statnews.com/2025/08/18/r...
thehill.com/blogs/congre...
But he is right RFK is extremely dangerous
www.statnews.com/2025/08/18/r...
thehill.com/blogs/congre...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Look at Dominique Malonga
August 9, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Look at Dominique Malonga
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
ELLE L'A FAIT! 🏆🇨🇦
Victoria Mboko remporte l'Omnium Banque Nationale. Tous les détails : shorturl.at/XeEdk
Victoria Mboko remporte l'Omnium Banque Nationale. Tous les détails : shorturl.at/XeEdk
August 8, 2025 at 12:15 AM
ELLE L'A FAIT! 🏆🇨🇦
Victoria Mboko remporte l'Omnium Banque Nationale. Tous les détails : shorturl.at/XeEdk
Victoria Mboko remporte l'Omnium Banque Nationale. Tous les détails : shorturl.at/XeEdk
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Where's the Demand? A Decade After First CLIA Waiver, Molecular POC Testing Adoption Remains Slow
Where's the Demand? A Decade After First CLIA Waiver, Molecular POC Testing Adoption Remains Slow
www.360dx.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Where's the Demand? A Decade After First CLIA Waiver, Molecular POC Testing Adoption Remains Slow
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Géant des biotechnologies, Francesco Bellini s’éteint à 77 ans
Géant des biotechnologies, Francesco Bellini s’éteint à 77 ans
Francesco Bellini, l’un des entrepreneurs ayant connu le plus de succès dans le secteur des sciences de la vie, est mort jeudi à l’âge de 77 ans.
www.journaldequebec.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Géant des biotechnologies, Francesco Bellini s’éteint à 77 ans
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Imagine that.
A hybrid coronavirus, formed of cat and dog coronaviruses, caused a severe outbreak of disease among cats in Cyprus, researchers found.
Their work, in Nature, showed how this new virus was able to cause widespread cases of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) among the island’s cats.
Their work, in Nature, showed how this new virus was able to cause widespread cases of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) among the island’s cats.
Coronavirus causes fatal disease outbreak in cats | The Roslin Institute | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
A harmful strain of coronavirus has caused a fast-spreading outbreak of a harmful feline disease.
edin.ac
July 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Imagine that.
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
This is a good time to remember that Moas, Emus, and the other ratites diverged so long ago, they FLEW to different continents, and then lost the ability to fly and became giants independently. You can't just sprinkle a few variants to make one into the other.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
July 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
This is a good time to remember that Moas, Emus, and the other ratites diverged so long ago, they FLEW to different continents, and then lost the ability to fly and became giants independently. You can't just sprinkle a few variants to make one into the other.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Much anticipated paper & superb 🧵 on SARS-CoV-2 evolution & the first full explanation of one of the defining changes in Omicron compared to pre-Omicron! Essential, seminal work here.
Congrats and a big thank you to @turville.bsky.social, @snpoehlm.bsky.social, & coauthors of this invaluable work!
Congrats and a big thank you to @turville.bsky.social, @snpoehlm.bsky.social, & coauthors of this invaluable work!
A thread- resolving the Omicron Paradox.
July 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Much anticipated paper & superb 🧵 on SARS-CoV-2 evolution & the first full explanation of one of the defining changes in Omicron compared to pre-Omicron! Essential, seminal work here.
Congrats and a big thank you to @turville.bsky.social, @snpoehlm.bsky.social, & coauthors of this invaluable work!
Congrats and a big thank you to @turville.bsky.social, @snpoehlm.bsky.social, & coauthors of this invaluable work!
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
The BC NDP have ordered caution, the offices can remain open but it is up to the MLAs. Bowinn Ma has announced all meetings and appointments at her Constituency Office are cancelled for the day due to the security incident. #bcpoli
NEW - North Vancouver RCMP is investigating after an explosive device went off beside MLA Bowinn Ma’s office in North Vancouver-Lonsdale. NDP MLAs have been told to close their constituency offices today. #bcpoli
June 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The BC NDP have ordered caution, the offices can remain open but it is up to the MLAs. Bowinn Ma has announced all meetings and appointments at her Constituency Office are cancelled for the day due to the security incident. #bcpoli
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
Colossal Bio threatens legal action against a critic of their scientific claims. 😬
It's very interesting that the letter doesn't actually *deny* that Colossal, its CEO, and their agents are leading a smear campaign against Lynch, instead focusing on the fact that he can't *prove* that they did. 🤨
It's very interesting that the letter doesn't actually *deny* that Colossal, its CEO, and their agents are leading a smear campaign against Lynch, instead focusing on the fact that he can't *prove* that they did. 🤨
June 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Colossal Bio threatens legal action against a critic of their scientific claims. 😬
It's very interesting that the letter doesn't actually *deny* that Colossal, its CEO, and their agents are leading a smear campaign against Lynch, instead focusing on the fact that he can't *prove* that they did. 🤨
It's very interesting that the letter doesn't actually *deny* that Colossal, its CEO, and their agents are leading a smear campaign against Lynch, instead focusing on the fact that he can't *prove* that they did. 🤨
Cheering for Luguentz Dort of OKC Thunder and Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers in game 7 NBA finals today and since I am in QC I had to visit the Toussaint L’ouverture sculpture in Quebec City
June 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Cheering for Luguentz Dort of OKC Thunder and Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers in game 7 NBA finals today and since I am in QC I had to visit the Toussaint L’ouverture sculpture in Quebec City
Reposted by Matt McFarlane
New piece on why it’s unhelpful to characterise COVID debate as ‘lockdowns are bad’ vs ‘lockdowns are good’ when it was really about people who claimed that COVID was 100x less fatal than it was + optimal to have a massive epidemic immediately before vaccine… vs those who sense checked these claims.
Restrictions had unequal impacts, but the pandemic itself did too. - Boston Review
Adam Kucharski responds to Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee.
www.bostonreview.net
June 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
New piece on why it’s unhelpful to characterise COVID debate as ‘lockdowns are bad’ vs ‘lockdowns are good’ when it was really about people who claimed that COVID was 100x less fatal than it was + optimal to have a massive epidemic immediately before vaccine… vs those who sense checked these claims.