Pontus Skoglund
@pontus-skoglund.bsky.social
Ancient DNA, evolution, and the human past. Senior group leader leading the research of the Ancient Genomics lab at the Francis Crick Institute. http://www.skoglundlab.org
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
A PhD project on historical genomics in the declining red squirrel in Britain is available in my group, through the @aries-dtp.bsky.social. Use historical genomes to track the effects of decline and genetic rescue in this charismatic species. aries-dtp.ac.uk/studentships...
Historical genomics of the declining red squirrel in Britain | Aries
Dr Anders Bergström, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia Professor Cock van Oosterhout, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia Dr Selina Brace…
aries-dtp.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:12 PM
A PhD project on historical genomics in the declining red squirrel in Britain is available in my group, through the @aries-dtp.bsky.social. Use historical genomes to track the effects of decline and genetic rescue in this charismatic species. aries-dtp.ac.uk/studentships...
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
I’m not an expert on polygenic scores for mental health, but a concern I would have is whether something has gone wrong with the genotyping, leading to misestimated polygenic scores that look extreme.
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I’m not an expert on polygenic scores for mental health, but a concern I would have is whether something has gone wrong with the genotyping, leading to misestimated polygenic scores that look extreme.
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
In particular, the claims that “[Hitler’s polygenic] score for schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder was actually higher than 99% of the individuals.” and " It is also rare to have a high polygenic risk score for all three conditions" strike me as strange.
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
In particular, the claims that “[Hitler’s polygenic] score for schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder was actually higher than 99% of the individuals.” and " It is also rare to have a high polygenic risk score for all three conditions" strike me as strange.
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
Putting aside the deeper issues of why this analysis was done and how it has been promoted, the choice to broadcast a tv show before releasing a preprint should make people skeptical of the results. How can one be sure of their scientific claims?
As I told the CNN, without details and data it is not possible to assess the claims.
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
Researchers say they have verified and sequenced Hitler’s DNA – and found a genetic disorder | CNN
Analysis of Adolf Hitler’s DNA reveals he may have had a rare genetic disorder that can delay puberty.
edition.cnn.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Putting aside the deeper issues of why this analysis was done and how it has been promoted, the choice to broadcast a tv show before releasing a preprint should make people skeptical of the results. How can one be sure of their scientific claims?
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
I think we can say confidently that there is zero scientific value in such 'celebrity' genomes, notorious or otherwise, and probably little or no historical value either.
November 15, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I think we can say confidently that there is zero scientific value in such 'celebrity' genomes, notorious or otherwise, and probably little or no historical value either.
As I told the CNN, without details and data it is not possible to assess the claims.
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
Researchers say they have verified and sequenced Hitler’s DNA – and found a genetic disorder | CNN
Analysis of Adolf Hitler’s DNA reveals he may have had a rare genetic disorder that can delay puberty.
edition.cnn.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
As I told the CNN, without details and data it is not possible to assess the claims.
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
More importantly, the scientific value of this media campaign, balanced against the possible stigmatization of individuals with these real conditions today, is highly questionable. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/13/s...
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
Just a few weeks left to apply for our clinical PhD programme.
We're looking for clinicians who are passionate about research to join the 3-year fully funded programme.
Learn more and see what positions are available ⬇️
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
We're looking for clinicians who are passionate about research to join the 3-year fully funded programme.
Learn more and see what positions are available ⬇️
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Doctoral clinical fellows
The Crick's clinical PhD programme.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Just a few weeks left to apply for our clinical PhD programme.
We're looking for clinicians who are passionate about research to join the 3-year fully funded programme.
Learn more and see what positions are available ⬇️
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
We're looking for clinicians who are passionate about research to join the 3-year fully funded programme.
Learn more and see what positions are available ⬇️
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
In case you missed it, catch the Question of Science podcast on ancient DNA on your favorite platform. We cover why ancient DNA studies can make a difference not only to understanding history, but also health and disease.
NEW EPISODE: Who are our ancestors and why does it matter?
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
In case you missed it, catch the Question of Science podcast on ancient DNA on your favorite platform. We cover why ancient DNA studies can make a difference not only to understanding history, but also health and disease.
Are you obsessed with archaeological or historical questions and easily get into coding?
Or a computational scientist that want to understand biology and disease evolution, and curious about the ancient past?
If you have these or other burning questions that fits into our programme, apply below!
Or a computational scientist that want to understand biology and disease evolution, and curious about the ancient past?
If you have these or other burning questions that fits into our programme, apply below!
PhD-opening in our ancient genomics lab this year, apply below!
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
October 27, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Are you obsessed with archaeological or historical questions and easily get into coding?
Or a computational scientist that want to understand biology and disease evolution, and curious about the ancient past?
If you have these or other burning questions that fits into our programme, apply below!
Or a computational scientist that want to understand biology and disease evolution, and curious about the ancient past?
If you have these or other burning questions that fits into our programme, apply below!
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
We have an exciting line-up of speakers already confirmed for our Ancient Genomes meeting in November. If you want to be one of the speakers or present a poster, submit your abstract by 31 July!
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
July 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
We have an exciting line-up of speakers already confirmed for our Ancient Genomes meeting in November. If you want to be one of the speakers or present a poster, submit your abstract by 31 July!
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
Join us at the The Francis Crick Institute for a lecture by the one and only Svante Pääbo on November 13.
The next day, join us for a symposium at the Royal Society featuring Svante and many others.
The next day, join us for a symposium at the Royal Society featuring Svante and many others.
Join us for an extraordinary evening with Nobel Laureate Svante Pääbo!
Prof Pääbo will present a FREE public talk titled “Of Neanderthals and Denisovans, and how they live on in many of us” at the @crick.ac.uk.
Register here: genetics.org.uk/events/of-ne...
Prof Pääbo will present a FREE public talk titled “Of Neanderthals and Denisovans, and how they live on in many of us” at the @crick.ac.uk.
Register here: genetics.org.uk/events/of-ne...
October 27, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Join us at the The Francis Crick Institute for a lecture by the one and only Svante Pääbo on November 13.
The next day, join us for a symposium at the Royal Society featuring Svante and many others.
The next day, join us for a symposium at the Royal Society featuring Svante and many others.
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
NEW EPISODE: Who are our ancestors and why does it matter?
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
October 22, 2025 at 8:18 AM
NEW EPISODE: Who are our ancestors and why does it matter?
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about ancient DNA.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSAncientD...
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
Thrilled to share our preprint where we propose that S. enterica Paratyphi C entered Mexico via European conquest and then diversified locally. More evidence is needed to assert whether or not it caused Cocoliztli (a major contact-period epidemic). Comments welcome!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Ancient genomic insights into Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C in Central Mexico
Salmonella enterica is a widespread pathogen of major global health relevance, with over 2,500 serovars classified into non-typhoidal and typhoidal groups. Within the typhoidal group, S. enterica Para...
www.biorxiv.org
October 14, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Thrilled to share our preprint where we propose that S. enterica Paratyphi C entered Mexico via European conquest and then diversified locally. More evidence is needed to assert whether or not it caused Cocoliztli (a major contact-period epidemic). Comments welcome!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
PhD-opening in our ancient genomics lab this year, apply below!
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
PhD students
Our PhD programme attracts the brightest scientific minds and is an opportunity for talented people to embark on their career in biomedical research.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
PhD-opening in our ancient genomics lab this year, apply below!
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
We work on:
📜 Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
📈 Natural selection and trait genetics
🐺 Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
🦠 Ancient pathogen genomics
💀 Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
We're now recruiting early career group leaders at the Crick to lead ambitious research programmes and explore bold scientific questions.
Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research.
Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research.
Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
October 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
We're now recruiting early career group leaders at the Crick to lead ambitious research programmes and explore bold scientific questions.
Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research.
Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research.
Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
PhD-opening in our ancient genomics lab this year, apply below!
We work on:
1. Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
2. Natural selection and trait genetics
3. Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
4. Ancient pathogen genomics
5. Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
We work on:
1. Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
2. Natural selection and trait genetics
3. Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
4. Ancient pathogen genomics
5. Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
PhD students
Our PhD programme attracts the brightest scientific minds and is an opportunity for talented people to embark on their career in biomedical research.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
PhD-opening in our ancient genomics lab this year, apply below!
We work on:
1. Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
2. Natural selection and trait genetics
3. Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
4. Ancient pathogen genomics
5. Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
We work on:
1. Genetic history integrated with archaeology and history
2. Natural selection and trait genetics
3. Evolutionary genomics of dogs and wolves
4. Ancient pathogen genomics
5. Hominin evolution and ancient proteomics
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
NEW EPISODE: Are we prepared for the next pandemic?
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about COVID-19 and whether we're ready for the next pandemic.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSPandemic...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about COVID-19 and whether we're ready for the next pandemic.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSPandemic...
October 8, 2025 at 5:20 AM
NEW EPISODE: Are we prepared for the next pandemic?
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about COVID-19 and whether we're ready for the next pandemic.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSPandemic...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about COVID-19 and whether we're ready for the next pandemic.
Listen on your favourite podcast platform: lnk.to/AQOSPandemic...
Crick PhD programme open, with a studentship in my lab possible. Apply if at all curious!
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
PhD students
Our PhD programme attracts the brightest scientific minds and is an opportunity for talented people to embark on their career in biomedical research.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Crick PhD programme open, with a studentship in my lab possible. Apply if at all curious!
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
PhD students
Our PhD programme attracts the brightest scientific minds and is an opportunity for talented people to embark on their career in biomedical research.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Apply by 05 November 2025
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
Register to attend the #LouisJeantetSymposium on vertebrate genome #evolution. Organised by Svante Pääbo and
@kaessmannlab.bsky.social . Free event, full line up of speakers 👉 www.jeantet.ch/en/
📆Tuesday 14 October, 08h15
📍CMU - Auditoire Alex-F. Müller (A250)
@genevunige.bsky.social
@kaessmannlab.bsky.social . Free event, full line up of speakers 👉 www.jeantet.ch/en/
📆Tuesday 14 October, 08h15
📍CMU - Auditoire Alex-F. Müller (A250)
@genevunige.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Register to attend the #LouisJeantetSymposium on vertebrate genome #evolution. Organised by Svante Pääbo and
@kaessmannlab.bsky.social . Free event, full line up of speakers 👉 www.jeantet.ch/en/
📆Tuesday 14 October, 08h15
📍CMU - Auditoire Alex-F. Müller (A250)
@genevunige.bsky.social
@kaessmannlab.bsky.social . Free event, full line up of speakers 👉 www.jeantet.ch/en/
📆Tuesday 14 October, 08h15
📍CMU - Auditoire Alex-F. Müller (A250)
@genevunige.bsky.social
The programme of talks for the London symposium on ancient genomes is set, but we are still open for poster submissions until Friday. Hope to see many there.
We have an exciting line-up of speakers already confirmed for our Ancient Genomes meeting in November. If you want to be one of the speakers or present a poster, submit your abstract by 31 July!
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
genetics.org.uk/events/ancie...
October 1, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The programme of talks for the London symposium on ancient genomes is set, but we are still open for poster submissions until Friday. Hope to see many there.
3-year PhD programme for candidates that already hold a medical degree. A project with us would aim to understand the origins and human evolution of biologically and medically relevant genetic variant. Don't hesitate to apply to discuss further!
We're looking for clinicians who are passionate about research to join our 3-year fully funded clinical PhD programme. 🔬🩺
Apply by 14 November 2025. 👇
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Apply by 14 November 2025. 👇
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Doctoral clinical fellows
The Crick's clinical PhD programme.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
3-year PhD programme for candidates that already hold a medical degree. A project with us would aim to understand the origins and human evolution of biologically and medically relevant genetic variant. Don't hesitate to apply to discuss further!
Reposted by Pontus Skoglund
NEW PODCAST: ‘A Question of Science’ with Professor Brian Cox.
In every episode, panels of scientists and experts answer audience questions about some of the biggest issues facing us today.
Listen to the first episode, ‘Can we live forever?’: lnk.to/AQOSAgeingBB
In every episode, panels of scientists and experts answer audience questions about some of the biggest issues facing us today.
Listen to the first episode, ‘Can we live forever?’: lnk.to/AQOSAgeingBB
September 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
NEW PODCAST: ‘A Question of Science’ with Professor Brian Cox.
In every episode, panels of scientists and experts answer audience questions about some of the biggest issues facing us today.
Listen to the first episode, ‘Can we live forever?’: lnk.to/AQOSAgeingBB
In every episode, panels of scientists and experts answer audience questions about some of the biggest issues facing us today.
Listen to the first episode, ‘Can we live forever?’: lnk.to/AQOSAgeingBB
Big congratulations to Helen and all other awardees!
Very excited to receive an ERC Starting Grant to study the earliest archaeological and biomolecular evidence of Homo sapiens in NW Europe
Watch this space for new positions in Bristol in 2026! 🎉
#HorizonEurope #ERCStG
Watch this space for new positions in Bristol in 2026! 🎉
#HorizonEurope #ERCStG
📣 The ERC Starting Grant call results are out!
Find out which early-career researchers will receive funding this year, what they will be investigating, where they will be based... plus lots of other #ERCStG facts & figures for 2025!
➡️ buff.ly/IsafuFh
#FrontierResearch 🇪🇺#EUfunded #HorizonEurope
Find out which early-career researchers will receive funding this year, what they will be investigating, where they will be based... plus lots of other #ERCStG facts & figures for 2025!
➡️ buff.ly/IsafuFh
#FrontierResearch 🇪🇺#EUfunded #HorizonEurope
September 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Big congratulations to Helen and all other awardees!
Early bird registration until 12 September!
Full programme on ancient DNA, human biology and medicine out now for our packed November 14 @gensocuk.bsky.social symposium! Join us at the @royalsociety.org in London.
September 4, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Early bird registration until 12 September!