Jasmine Alqassar
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social
PhD Student at GWU Biology interested in the Evo Devo of lepidopteran silk & salivary glands | she/her
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
🚨New paper! 🚨
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this work on the silk glands of the pantry moth.
These two long tubes inside the caterpillar continuously make a ton of silk
How does this special organ work?
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
@cp-iscience.bsky.social
🧵THREAD🧵
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this work on the silk glands of the pantry moth.
These two long tubes inside the caterpillar continuously make a ton of silk
How does this special organ work?
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
@cp-iscience.bsky.social
🧵THREAD🧵
November 16, 2025 at 2:06 AM
🚨New paper! 🚨
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this work on the silk glands of the pantry moth.
These two long tubes inside the caterpillar continuously make a ton of silk
How does this special organ work?
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
@cp-iscience.bsky.social
🧵THREAD🧵
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this work on the silk glands of the pantry moth.
These two long tubes inside the caterpillar continuously make a ton of silk
How does this special organ work?
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
@cp-iscience.bsky.social
🧵THREAD🧵
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Minos transgenesis enables robust, stable germline integration of transgenes in Lepidoptera; providing a reliable alternative to piggyBac, whose native transposases can cause transgene remobilization or instability in moths and butterflies:
It's out, Minos transgenesis in the pantry moth by
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Minos transgenesis enables robust, stable germline integration of transgenes in Lepidoptera; providing a reliable alternative to piggyBac, whose native transposases can cause transgene remobilization or instability in moths and butterflies:
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Hey Lep researchers!
"Given the risks of transgene remobilization and instability associated with piggyBac transposases of lepidopteran origin,
we urge researchers interested in developing transgenesis in moths or butterflies to consider using Minos-based tools."
"Given the risks of transgene remobilization and instability associated with piggyBac transposases of lepidopteran origin,
we urge researchers interested in developing transgenesis in moths or butterflies to consider using Minos-based tools."
It's out, Minos transgenesis in the pantry moth by
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Hey Lep researchers!
"Given the risks of transgene remobilization and instability associated with piggyBac transposases of lepidopteran origin,
we urge researchers interested in developing transgenesis in moths or butterflies to consider using Minos-based tools."
"Given the risks of transgene remobilization and instability associated with piggyBac transposases of lepidopteran origin,
we urge researchers interested in developing transgenesis in moths or butterflies to consider using Minos-based tools."
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
It's out, Minos transgenesis in the pantry moth by
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 PM
It's out, Minos transgenesis in the pantry moth by
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
High efficient, glowing eye and silk gland markers
peerj.com/articles/202...
@peerj.bsky.social
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Transgenic Plodia larvae expressing the very bright mBaoJin (mStayGold variant) in its silk glands.
Also some gorgeous 3xP3:mCherry staining of larval ocelli and glia.
(see revised preprint) by pantry moth wizards
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social & @lucalivraghi.bsky.social doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Also some gorgeous 3xP3:mCherry staining of larval ocelli and glia.
(see revised preprint) by pantry moth wizards
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social & @lucalivraghi.bsky.social doi.org/10.1101/2025...
July 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Transgenic Plodia larvae expressing the very bright mBaoJin (mStayGold variant) in its silk glands.
Also some gorgeous 3xP3:mCherry staining of larval ocelli and glia.
(see revised preprint) by pantry moth wizards
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social & @lucalivraghi.bsky.social doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Also some gorgeous 3xP3:mCherry staining of larval ocelli and glia.
(see revised preprint) by pantry moth wizards
@donyaniyaz.bsky.social & @lucalivraghi.bsky.social doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Very cool work by @jasminealqassar.bsky.social, @evolvwing.bsky.social, and co. And some stunning pictures as an extra treat!
Preprint alert from the lab
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
July 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Very cool work by @jasminealqassar.bsky.social, @evolvwing.bsky.social, and co. And some stunning pictures as an extra treat!
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Preprint alert from the lab
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
July 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Preprint alert from the lab
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@jasminealqassar.bsky.social led this elegant study of gene expression in the silk glands of our favorite alternative "silk worm", the pantry moth.
Mega-polyploid cells with thousands of genome copies just to express a handful of proteins
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Check out our deep dive into the molecular genetics of male-specific cell type : the gorgeous UV-iridescent scales of Sulphur Butterflies
by lab wizards 🦋🔬 🖥️ 🧬
Ling Sheng Loh
@hanliconius.bsky.social
and a big team
1/n
by lab wizards 🦋🔬 🖥️ 🧬
Ling Sheng Loh
@hanliconius.bsky.social
and a big team
1/n
Wiring the sexes: @evolvwing.bsky.social &co use CRISPR knockouts & single-nucleus transcriptomics to decipher the regulatory logic of #SexualDimorphism in sulphur #butterflies, where males display bright UV colors thanks to specialized iridescent scales @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/445Iz7d
June 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Check out our deep dive into the molecular genetics of male-specific cell type : the gorgeous UV-iridescent scales of Sulphur Butterflies
by lab wizards 🦋🔬 🖥️ 🧬
Ling Sheng Loh
@hanliconius.bsky.social
and a big team
1/n
by lab wizards 🦋🔬 🖥️ 🧬
Ling Sheng Loh
@hanliconius.bsky.social
and a big team
1/n
I am really thrilled to share that our paper, led by Izzy Novick, resolving the Tineidae phylogeny using UCEs and exploring the origins of keratinophagy and synanthropy in the family is now published in Molecular Ecology. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Ultraconserved Elements Reveal the Relationship Between Facultative Keratinophagy and Synanthropic Evolution in Clothes Moths
Synanthropic species live in close association with, or benefit from, humans. Despite their potential impacts to human health, little is known about the mechanisms driving synanthropic life-history e...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I am really thrilled to share that our paper, led by Izzy Novick, resolving the Tineidae phylogeny using UCEs and exploring the origins of keratinophagy and synanthropy in the family is now published in Molecular Ecology. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Awesome new paper by @lucalivraghi.bsky.social et al.
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
in @currentbiology.bsky.social
on the evo-devo of a butterfly color variation
enjoy the show!
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
in @currentbiology.bsky.social
on the evo-devo of a butterfly color variation
enjoy the show!
April 14, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Awesome new paper by @lucalivraghi.bsky.social et al.
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
in @currentbiology.bsky.social
on the evo-devo of a butterfly color variation
enjoy the show!
doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
in @currentbiology.bsky.social
on the evo-devo of a butterfly color variation
enjoy the show!
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Preprint! Minos-mediated transgenesis in the pantry moth
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
By @donyaniyaz.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
By @donyaniyaz.bsky.social
April 5, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Preprint! Minos-mediated transgenesis in the pantry moth
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
By @donyaniyaz.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
By @donyaniyaz.bsky.social
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
The Lepidoptera Genomics meeting July6-12 in Crete is going to be amazing and they extended the abstract deadline.
I wish I could go (most of the team is going)
events.gwdg.de/event/880/
I wish I could go (most of the team is going)
events.gwdg.de/event/880/
The 12th international Workshop on molecular biology and genetics of the Lepidoptera
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN We are delighted to invite you to join us at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, set just outside the lovely Cretan village Kolymbari, for a stimulating and enriching event. With 150 ...
events.gwdg.de
April 2, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The Lepidoptera Genomics meeting July6-12 in Crete is going to be amazing and they extended the abstract deadline.
I wish I could go (most of the team is going)
events.gwdg.de/event/880/
I wish I could go (most of the team is going)
events.gwdg.de/event/880/
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Thrilled to share that this paper is out now in Development! journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
March 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Thrilled to share that this paper is out now in Development! journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
My first paper is out today in GBE! A genome assembly and annotation for the webbing clothes moth. academic.oup.com/gbe/article/... A short 🧵
December 21, 2024 at 3:25 PM
My first paper is out today in GBE! A genome assembly and annotation for the webbing clothes moth. academic.oup.com/gbe/article/... A short 🧵
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
New preprint by butterfly wizard
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped optix (again?!) as the switch gene of a natural polymorphism, this time controlling silver patches of a mountain butterfly. Gorgeous RNAi validation, evidence of selective sweeps, introgression
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped optix (again?!) as the switch gene of a natural polymorphism, this time controlling silver patches of a mountain butterfly. Gorgeous RNAi validation, evidence of selective sweeps, introgression
December 17, 2024 at 3:18 PM
New preprint by butterfly wizard
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped optix (again?!) as the switch gene of a natural polymorphism, this time controlling silver patches of a mountain butterfly. Gorgeous RNAi validation, evidence of selective sweeps, introgression
@lucalivraghi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped optix (again?!) as the switch gene of a natural polymorphism, this time controlling silver patches of a mountain butterfly. Gorgeous RNAi validation, evidence of selective sweeps, introgression
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
A lovely commentary on @lucalivraghi.bsky.social and @hwkmthcrspr.bsky.social's recent papers, by VanKuren and Kronforst (bsky-less?). "“Being wrong” has never been a bad thing in science because good scientists cannot let go of those little things that just do not line up" - 🔥🔥🔥
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
December 2, 2024 at 6:51 PM
A lovely commentary on @lucalivraghi.bsky.social and @hwkmthcrspr.bsky.social's recent papers, by VanKuren and Kronforst (bsky-less?). "“Being wrong” has never been a bad thing in science because good scientists cannot let go of those little things that just do not line up" - 🔥🔥🔥
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
There’s loads of invertebrate macrophotographers on Bsky now, so I’ve whipped up a starter pack to make it easy to fill your feed with excellent bug photos!
#Invertebrate #Macrophotography 🧪
go.bsky.app/5CHHo2r
#Invertebrate #Macrophotography 🧪
go.bsky.app/5CHHo2r
November 27, 2024 at 12:09 AM
There’s loads of invertebrate macrophotographers on Bsky now, so I’ve whipped up a starter pack to make it easy to fill your feed with excellent bug photos!
#Invertebrate #Macrophotography 🧪
go.bsky.app/5CHHo2r
#Invertebrate #Macrophotography 🧪
go.bsky.app/5CHHo2r
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
@science.org
Sorry to be trolling already (this one is from 10.1126/sciadv.ado4167) but a lot of your papers are hard to read for 4% of scientists. Other journals like the New Phytologist issue guidance about figure color accessibility. You could also ask your editors to do better
💜thank you💚
Chloe
Sorry to be trolling already (this one is from 10.1126/sciadv.ado4167) but a lot of your papers are hard to read for 4% of scientists. Other journals like the New Phytologist issue guidance about figure color accessibility. You could also ask your editors to do better
💜thank you💚
Chloe
November 25, 2024 at 2:55 PM
@science.org
Sorry to be trolling already (this one is from 10.1126/sciadv.ado4167) but a lot of your papers are hard to read for 4% of scientists. Other journals like the New Phytologist issue guidance about figure color accessibility. You could also ask your editors to do better
💜thank you💚
Chloe
Sorry to be trolling already (this one is from 10.1126/sciadv.ado4167) but a lot of your papers are hard to read for 4% of scientists. Other journals like the New Phytologist issue guidance about figure color accessibility. You could also ask your editors to do better
💜thank you💚
Chloe
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
(please amplify) 4% of scientists face an important barrier to an the ENTIRE FIELD of single-cell genomics and here is why
November 25, 2024 at 3:22 PM
(please amplify) 4% of scientists face an important barrier to an the ENTIRE FIELD of single-cell genomics and here is why
Reposted by Jasmine Alqassar
Hey Lepidoptera folks, here’s a Starter Pack of Lepidopterologists! If you want to be added (or removed), just @ me with your favourite: #buttetflies? #moths? go.bsky.app/U3HPgpW
November 12, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Hey Lepidoptera folks, here’s a Starter Pack of Lepidopterologists! If you want to be added (or removed), just @ me with your favourite: #buttetflies? #moths? go.bsky.app/U3HPgpW