Yesterday @jacoates.bsky.social and I gave talks on pre-prints hosted by the @lunduniversity-med.bsky.social . Jonny gave a great primer on the history of pre-prints and debunked myths about them. I spoke on our experiences with preprints and was encouraged to see this feedback after the talks👇

Continuing evaluation of RNAs, previous work had indicated an expansion of embryonic stem cell-specific miRNAs in P. waltl. Ketan went on to confirm this expansion in this new higher contiguity assembly, perform a genome-wide annotation of miRs, and define 4 novel P. waltl miR groups.
(13/x)

Ketan noted that TEs can create circRNA. These have recently emerged as RNA molecules with roles in processes like transcription and stemness. Sleuthing the newt genome for circRNA, TEs appeared to facilitate circRNA genesis. Importantly, some circRNA were enriched during regeneration!
(12/x)

Now back to the TEs…co-first author Svetlana Iarovenko found that unlike other giant genomes, the TE-driven expansion of the newt genome appears due to more DNA elements as compared to RNA elements that have driven expansion in other species with giant genomes (like the axolotl).
(9/x)

Though the newt genome is massive, newts lose genes over evolution. We found that Fgf5 was lost in newts and lost in other species with giant genomes. This suggests that giant genomes may be susceptible to disruptions at this locus or that disruptions at this locus facilitate genome expansion.
(8/x)

Before we dive into the TEs, annotation efforts from co-first authors Ahmed Elewa and Tom confirmed that though their genome size is massive, the # of protein-coding genes is similar to other vertebrates. We also found that the general layout of their genome matched well with related species.
(7/x)

The newt Pleurodeles waltl has amazing biological features, like the ability to regenerate tail and limbs!

Are the secrets to this regenerative capacity in their genome?

In this collaborative work from the Leigh, Yun, and Simon labs we explored this question.

www.cell.com/cell-genomic... (1/x)

🐸 Salamanders 🐸 are resistant to cancer!

🚨 5 days🚨 left to apply for a postdoc position to help us discover the origins of this resistance!

Come join us!!!

🐸 Salamanders 🐸 are extremely resistant to cancer.

Why?

We don't know!

We have a postdoc position now open to delve into to the tumor resistance mechanisms of salamanders. Big thanks to Cancerfonden for making this possible! Apply now!

Today I went with alumni of the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Research School to a nearby English school to share science to 12-13 year olds. The energy and excitement from the both sets of students was amazing!! Hoping we see some of these bright minds in the lab soon!