Milo Lab @WIS
@milolabwis.bsky.social
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
1/ How fast can life’s most important enzyme go?
Rubisco catalyzes nearly all carbon fixation on Earth, feeding the living world. In our new @pnas.org study, we explored ≈500 rubiscos across the tree of life to see if any are actually fast (Spoiler: they aren’t)
pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501433122
Rubisco catalyzes nearly all carbon fixation on Earth, feeding the living world. In our new @pnas.org study, we explored ≈500 rubiscos across the tree of life to see if any are actually fast (Spoiler: they aren’t)
pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501433122
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
1/ How fast can life’s most important enzyme go?
Rubisco catalyzes nearly all carbon fixation on Earth, feeding the living world. In our new @pnas.org study, we explored ≈500 rubiscos across the tree of life to see if any are actually fast (Spoiler: they aren’t)
pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501433122
Rubisco catalyzes nearly all carbon fixation on Earth, feeding the living world. In our new @pnas.org study, we explored ≈500 rubiscos across the tree of life to see if any are actually fast (Spoiler: they aren’t)
pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501433122
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
4/ The awe-inspiring African Serengeti migration, with ~1 million wildebeest, zebras & gazelles, barely moves as much biomass as attending the FIFA World Cup or an annual Hajj. But the biggest migration of all? The daily vertical dance of plankton & tiny fish in the ocean.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
4/ The awe-inspiring African Serengeti migration, with ~1 million wildebeest, zebras & gazelles, barely moves as much biomass as attending the FIFA World Cup or an annual Hajj. But the biggest migration of all? The daily vertical dance of plankton & tiny fish in the ocean.
3/ The ocean still holds the most biomass movement on Earth, but it has been down 60% since 1850, mainly from over-fishing and whaling. Meanwhile, human biomass movement rose by 4000% driven by industrialization and population growth.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
3/ The ocean still holds the most biomass movement on Earth, but it has been down 60% since 1850, mainly from over-fishing and whaling. Meanwhile, human biomass movement rose by 4000% driven by industrialization and population growth.
2/ Biomass movement = the total mass of animal species × the distance it travels per year.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
2/ Biomass movement = the total mass of animal species × the distance it travels per year.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
1/ Earth is teeming with life on the move, from whales crossing oceans to humans commuting to work. But how does the movement of animals compare to humanity's?
Our new study in @natecoevo.nature.com answers just that!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our new study in @natecoevo.nature.com answers just that!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
1/ Earth is teeming with life on the move, from whales crossing oceans to humans commuting to work. But how does the movement of animals compare to humanity's?
Our new study in @natecoevo.nature.com answers just that!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our new study in @natecoevo.nature.com answers just that!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
3/ Zooming in on marine mammals, their global biomass declined by ≈70% since the 1850s, despite a moderate increase in recent decades. This provides a broader perspective to observed extinctions, with ≈2% of marine mammal species recorded as extinct during the same period
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
3/ Zooming in on marine mammals, their global biomass declined by ≈70% since the 1850s, despite a moderate increase in recent decades. This provides a broader perspective to observed extinctions, with ≈2% of marine mammal species recorded as extinct during the same period
2/ We estimate that wild mammal biomass globally in 1850 was ≈200 Mt, roughly equal to that of humans and their domesticated mammals combined at the time. Since then, human and domesticated mammal biomass has risen to ≈1100 Mt, while wild mammal biomass decreased to ≈60 Mt
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
2/ We estimate that wild mammal biomass globally in 1850 was ≈200 Mt, roughly equal to that of humans and their domesticated mammals combined at the time. Since then, human and domesticated mammal biomass has risen to ≈1100 Mt, while wild mammal biomass decreased to ≈60 Mt
1/ Wild mammals now comprise ≈5% of mammal biomass globally. How did this come to be? In our new study in @NatureComms, we estimate that in 1850, wild mammals comprised ≈50% of mammal biomass globally www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
1/ Wild mammals now comprise ≈5% of mammal biomass globally. How did this come to be? In our new study in @NatureComms, we estimate that in 1850, wild mammals comprised ≈50% of mammal biomass globally www.nature.com/articles/s41...
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
1/ Is the future of sustainable and resilient food production growing plants in skyscrapers? Check out our latest article in @plantphys.bsky.social where we explore whether vertical farms are economically viable and offer environmental benefits
doi.org/10.1093/plph...
doi.org/10.1093/plph...
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
1/ Is the future of sustainable and resilient food production growing plants in skyscrapers? Check out our latest article in @plantphys.bsky.social where we explore whether vertical farms are economically viable and offer environmental benefits
doi.org/10.1093/plph...
doi.org/10.1093/plph...
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
July 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
July 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
6/ However, we find limited economic and environmental viability for fuels produced from microbes using electricity and CO2, even when considering possible advances in the coming decades
April 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
6/ However, we find limited economic and environmental viability for fuels produced from microbes using electricity and CO2, even when considering possible advances in the coming decades
5/ In the longer-term (decades), with substantial economic changes, microbial food may even be cheap enough to compete with major crops, like wheat. This could unlock additional benefits for future food security and help to mitigate environmental challenges
April 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
5/ In the longer-term (decades), with substantial economic changes, microbial food may even be cheap enough to compete with major crops, like wheat. This could unlock additional benefits for future food security and help to mitigate environmental challenges
4/ In a best case, microbial foods may be cheap enough to compete with animal foods (e.g. meat & milk), in the next decade. Microbial foods may also offer major environmental benefits over animal products. This could catalyse shifts away from unsustainable animal-based foods
April 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
4/ In a best case, microbial foods may be cheap enough to compete with animal foods (e.g. meat & milk), in the next decade. Microbial foods may also offer major environmental benefits over animal products. This could catalyse shifts away from unsustainable animal-based foods
1/ We need new ways of producing foods and fuels to minimise our impact on our planet. Our new paper now in
@natbiotech.nature.com examines whether microbes hold the key to producing foods and fuels in the future
Open access: rdcu.be/eiIUu
nature.com/articles/s41...
@natbiotech.nature.com examines whether microbes hold the key to producing foods and fuels in the future
Open access: rdcu.be/eiIUu
nature.com/articles/s41...
April 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
1/ We need new ways of producing foods and fuels to minimise our impact on our planet. Our new paper now in
@natbiotech.nature.com examines whether microbes hold the key to producing foods and fuels in the future
Open access: rdcu.be/eiIUu
nature.com/articles/s41...
@natbiotech.nature.com examines whether microbes hold the key to producing foods and fuels in the future
Open access: rdcu.be/eiIUu
nature.com/articles/s41...
6/ However, we find limited economic and environmental viability for fuels produced from microbes using electricity and CO2, even when considering possible advances in the coming decades
April 23, 2025 at 12:17 PM
6/ However, we find limited economic and environmental viability for fuels produced from microbes using electricity and CO2, even when considering possible advances in the coming decades