Ewan Birney
@ewanbirney.bsky.social
Executive Director EMBL. I have an insatiable love of biology. Consultant to ONT and Cantata (Dovetail)
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Last call! Applications for the @crg.eu International PhD Programme 2025 in beautiful Barcelona close next week! Join us and our inspiring colleagues at the CRG - an exceptional environment for discovery, creativity, and scientific growth.
Apply here: www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
Apply here: www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Last call! Applications for the @crg.eu International PhD Programme 2025 in beautiful Barcelona close next week! Join us and our inspiring colleagues at the CRG - an exceptional environment for discovery, creativity, and scientific growth.
Apply here: www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
Apply here: www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
Reposted by Ewan Birney
This is true. Also: a clip from Crick ON Start the Week from 1994. The other guests were Salman Rushdie, Maya Angelou and Tom Stoppard, Melvyn the host.
Stand by your radios at 09:00 UK time! I’ll be on R4’s Start the Week with @adamrutherford.bsky.social talking about CRICK. Also with Alison Bashford talking about science and the occult in the history of palmistry and Charlotte Houldcroft describing her work on DNA viruses.
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
This is true. Also: a clip from Crick ON Start the Week from 1994. The other guests were Salman Rushdie, Maya Angelou and Tom Stoppard, Melvyn the host.
North London is red. And Eze a legend
November 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
North London is red. And Eze a legend
Reposted by Ewan Birney
The UK Government Department for Science, Innovation & Technology published its national AI for Science strategy.
We’re pleased that EMBL-EBI is highlighted for the strength of our data foundations and look forward to seeing how this strategy supports future discoveries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
We’re pleased that EMBL-EBI is highlighted for the strength of our data foundations and look forward to seeing how this strategy supports future discoveries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
November 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The UK Government Department for Science, Innovation & Technology published its national AI for Science strategy.
We’re pleased that EMBL-EBI is highlighted for the strength of our data foundations and look forward to seeing how this strategy supports future discoveries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
We’re pleased that EMBL-EBI is highlighted for the strength of our data foundations and look forward to seeing how this strategy supports future discoveries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Ashes cricket...wow. Clicking live updates. What a day.
November 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Ashes cricket...wow. Clicking live updates. What a day.
The world’s most studied half a million humans humans … just got measured in yet another clever way … looking forward to diving into the data
We're pleased to announce that our latest release of new and updated UK Biobank data is now available to approved researchers around the world ✅
November 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The world’s most studied half a million humans humans … just got measured in yet another clever way … looking forward to diving into the data
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing health threat, making infections harder to treat and complicating routine medical care.
EMBL-EBI’s new AMR portal brings together laboratory resistance data and bacterial genomes in one open platform.
#WAAW2025 #ActOnAMR
www.ebi.ac.uk/about/news/t...
🧬💻
EMBL-EBI’s new AMR portal brings together laboratory resistance data and bacterial genomes in one open platform.
#WAAW2025 #ActOnAMR
www.ebi.ac.uk/about/news/t...
🧬💻
A new gateway to global antimicrobial resistance data
New online portal connects bacterial genomes with experimental resistance data to support antimicrobial resistance research.
www.ebi.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing health threat, making infections harder to treat and complicating routine medical care.
EMBL-EBI’s new AMR portal brings together laboratory resistance data and bacterial genomes in one open platform.
#WAAW2025 #ActOnAMR
www.ebi.ac.uk/about/news/t...
🧬💻
EMBL-EBI’s new AMR portal brings together laboratory resistance data and bacterial genomes in one open platform.
#WAAW2025 #ActOnAMR
www.ebi.ac.uk/about/news/t...
🧬💻
Reposted by Ewan Birney
My account's upload and bulk download access were terminated permanently in 2021 without explanation after I published *checksums* of GISAID genomes. GISAID and its SAB have since ignored a dozen emails seeking explanation.
4 yrs on, even Nextstrain has lost access. GISAID has rotted from its core.
4 yrs on, even Nextstrain has lost access. GISAID has rotted from its core.
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 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
My account's upload and bulk download access were terminated permanently in 2021 without explanation after I published *checksums* of GISAID genomes. GISAID and its SAB have since ignored a dozen emails seeking explanation.
4 yrs on, even Nextstrain has lost access. GISAID has rotted from its core.
4 yrs on, even Nextstrain has lost access. GISAID has rotted from its core.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
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 Ewan Birney
The golden age of diversity and democracy in Oz.
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The golden age of diversity and democracy in Oz.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
On this day in 1988, Canadian alt country heroes Cowboy Junkies released their out now debut 'The Trinity Session' and in 2025 its quiet pulse still feels like a secret you lean in to hear.
November 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
On this day in 1988, Canadian alt country heroes Cowboy Junkies released their out now debut 'The Trinity Session' and in 2025 its quiet pulse still feels like a secret you lean in to hear.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
MISO: microfluidic protein isolation enables single-particle cryo-EM structure determination from a single cell colony.
Or from a single dish of HEK cell culture in the case of two membrane proteins.
Out in Nature Methods now! lnkd.in/gpyBSceg
Wonderful collaboration with the Efremov lab.
Or from a single dish of HEK cell culture in the case of two membrane proteins.
Out in Nature Methods now! lnkd.in/gpyBSceg
Wonderful collaboration with the Efremov lab.
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
MISO: microfluidic protein isolation enables single-particle cryo-EM structure determination from a single cell colony.
Or from a single dish of HEK cell culture in the case of two membrane proteins.
Out in Nature Methods now! lnkd.in/gpyBSceg
Wonderful collaboration with the Efremov lab.
Or from a single dish of HEK cell culture in the case of two membrane proteins.
Out in Nature Methods now! lnkd.in/gpyBSceg
Wonderful collaboration with the Efremov lab.
Richard so deserves this - a legend in bioinformatics and computational biology - work genome, human genome, Pfam, 1,000 genomes, Sam/bam format, bwa, vcf, psmc… and so many more
Congratulations to Richard Durbin on being awarded our Genetics Society Medal!
November 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Richard so deserves this - a legend in bioinformatics and computational biology - work genome, human genome, Pfam, 1,000 genomes, Sam/bam format, bwa, vcf, psmc… and so many more
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Heute zum Antrittsbesuch bei Karl Lauterbach, dem Vorsitzenden des Bundestags-Forschungsausschusses. Ein wertschätzender Austausch in angenehmer Atmosphäre. Danke für das offene Gespräch und den freundlichen Empfang.
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Heute zum Antrittsbesuch bei Karl Lauterbach, dem Vorsitzenden des Bundestags-Forschungsausschusses. Ein wertschätzender Austausch in angenehmer Atmosphäre. Danke für das offene Gespräch und den freundlichen Empfang.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Please yes. Lumberjack song from Monty python remake definitely a winner
Canada pushes to join Eurovision: ‘This is about protecting our identity’
Canada pushes to join Eurovision: ‘This is about protecting our identity’
Country explores taking part in the glitzy song contest as it distances from the US and seeks to deepen ties with Europe
When Canada released its federal budget this month, much of it was standard fare, from the plans to downsize the public service to the boost in defence spending.
But one line tucked in the nearly 500-page document has captured imaginations on both sides of the Atlantic: a mention that the government is working with Canada’s national broadcaster to explore participation in the Eurovision song contest. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Please yes. Lumberjack song from Monty python remake definitely a winner
Giving a talk to the Cambridge scientific society tonight - should perhaps have posted earlier - slightly thin audience …
November 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Giving a talk to the Cambridge scientific society tonight - should perhaps have posted earlier - slightly thin audience …
Ugh. Microsoft Teams identity management can get very Kafkaesque
November 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Ugh. Microsoft Teams identity management can get very Kafkaesque
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Today, on World #ScienceDay for Peace and Development, we are joining our EIROforum partners in celebrating how science contributes to society 🌎
Thanks to you, we are able to develop new technologies and make discoveries that help address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
Thanks to you, we are able to develop new technologies and make discoveries that help address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
🌎 On World Science Day for Peace and Development, senior leaders across EIROforum thank citizens for their trust and support.
Peer Bork from EMBL talks about how trust and support helps bring scientists in different disciplines together to make the world a better place for generations to come.
Peer Bork from EMBL talks about how trust and support helps bring scientists in different disciplines together to make the world a better place for generations to come.
November 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Today, on World #ScienceDay for Peace and Development, we are joining our EIROforum partners in celebrating how science contributes to society 🌎
Thanks to you, we are able to develop new technologies and make discoveries that help address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
Thanks to you, we are able to develop new technologies and make discoveries that help address some of today’s most pressing challenges.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Just starting a “House of Guinness” binge, please tell me there is a Student’s T-test plot line?
November 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Just starting a “House of Guinness” binge, please tell me there is a Student’s T-test plot line?
Inspired by the AI conference hosted by the Danish Presidency of the EU I've written a probably too long piece about my own shift from a multi-variate/bayesian genomicist to an AI aligned genomicist / biologist.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/though...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/though...
Thoughts on AI, Take 2
Further thoughts about AI brought together for me by the AI Science Summit organized by the European Commission and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025 - in lovely Copenhagen - this ti...
www.linkedin.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Inspired by the AI conference hosted by the Danish Presidency of the EU I've written a probably too long piece about my own shift from a multi-variate/bayesian genomicist to an AI aligned genomicist / biologist.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/though...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/though...
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Julie Ahringer from @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social @geneticscam.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk gives talk on decoding genome regulation during development. Exploring how chromatin accessibility changes throughout development enable single cells to become multicellular organisms.
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Julie Ahringer from @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social @geneticscam.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk gives talk on decoding genome regulation during development. Exploring how chromatin accessibility changes throughout development enable single cells to become multicellular organisms.
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Our CEO Prof Sir Rory Collins was speaking at an event at the Labour Party Conference with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, Andrew McCracken, Nadeem Sarwar & @joshfg.bsky.social MP, a member of the Health and Social Care Committee.
🗞️ Read here: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/he... by Phin Foster
🗞️ Read here: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/he... by Phin Foster
Joining the dots through predictive prevention
Predictive prevention could transform healthcare – but only if data, trust and policy align
www.newstatesman.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Our CEO Prof Sir Rory Collins was speaking at an event at the Labour Party Conference with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social, Andrew McCracken, Nadeem Sarwar & @joshfg.bsky.social MP, a member of the Health and Social Care Committee.
🗞️ Read here: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/he... by Phin Foster
🗞️ Read here: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/he... by Phin Foster
Reposted by Ewan Birney
💬 “The data is already there, we just need to bring it together.”
The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social reports on the incredible potential of bringing hospital and primary care data together for preventative medicine - and how it could transform healthcare. 🔽
The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social reports on the incredible potential of bringing hospital and primary care data together for preventative medicine - and how it could transform healthcare. 🔽
November 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
💬 “The data is already there, we just need to bring it together.”
The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social reports on the incredible potential of bringing hospital and primary care data together for preventative medicine - and how it could transform healthcare. 🔽
The @newstatesman1913.bsky.social reports on the incredible potential of bringing hospital and primary care data together for preventative medicine - and how it could transform healthcare. 🔽
Reposted by Ewan Birney
Excited to share our latest work on the factors that determine what genes we find (and don't find!) in GWAS and burden tests.
We describe a critical concept that we call *specificity*.
Led by Jeff Spence and Hakhamanesh Mostafavi:
We describe a critical concept that we call *specificity*.
Led by Jeff Spence and Hakhamanesh Mostafavi:
How do GWAS and rare variant burden tests rank gene signals?
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Specificity, length and luck drive gene rankings in association studies - Nature
Genetic association tests prioritize candidate genes based on different criteria.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Excited to share our latest work on the factors that determine what genes we find (and don't find!) in GWAS and burden tests.
We describe a critical concept that we call *specificity*.
Led by Jeff Spence and Hakhamanesh Mostafavi:
We describe a critical concept that we call *specificity*.
Led by Jeff Spence and Hakhamanesh Mostafavi: