Molecular Biology and Evolution
@molbioevol.bsky.social
MBE publishes fresh insights into the patterns and processes that impact the evolution of life at molecular levels.
π academic.oup.com/mbe
π @official-smbe.bsky.social
π€ @genomebiolevol.bsky.social
#evobio #molbio #science #biology #societyjournal
π academic.oup.com/mbe
π @official-smbe.bsky.social
π€ @genomebiolevol.bsky.social
#evobio #molbio #science #biology #societyjournal
Pinned
The February cover of Molecular Biology and Evolution features the work of Ward et al. on the evolution of SERPINA snake venom inhibitors in rodents.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
Dieselhorst & Berg introduce a framework for the evolutionary dynamics of cell populations tying mutations to discrete cell birth events; they present an algorithm to compute the likelihood based on tree topologies with mutations.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #singlecell
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #singlecell
Phylodynamics of Somatic Evolution: A Likelihood-Based Approach for Cellular Reproduction
Abstract. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of cell populations requires models that link observed phylogenetic patterns to the underlying processes
doi.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Dieselhorst & Berg introduce a framework for the evolutionary dynamics of cell populations tying mutations to discrete cell birth events; they present an algorithm to compute the likelihood based on tree topologies with mutations.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #singlecell
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #singlecell
Chen et al. used Dense 3D Crypt-scale Sampling to reconstruct the metastatic history of colorectal cancer, defining metastasis not as a late-stage, singular event, but as an early, systemic, and spatially complex process.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #cancer
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #cancer
Full spatio-temporal analyses of migration and colonization in evolutionβdense 3D mapping of cancer metastases provides new insights
Abstract. The process of migration and colonization is important in evolution; for example, modern humans experienced multiple waves of migrations out of A
doi.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Chen et al. used Dense 3D Crypt-scale Sampling to reconstruct the metastatic history of colorectal cancer, defining metastasis not as a late-stage, singular event, but as an early, systemic, and spatially complex process.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #cancer
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio #cancer
Thank you! We're very happy you enjoy it.
February 6, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Thank you! We're very happy you enjoy it.
ΕabΔdzka-Dmoch et al. investigated the evolution of transcription factors Rtg1 and Rtg3 in Candida albicans, showing that this pathway mediates adaptation to cellular stresses related to respiratory dysfunction.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag005
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag005
#evobio #molbio
February 5, 2026 at 10:03 AM
ΕabΔdzka-Dmoch et al. investigated the evolution of transcription factors Rtg1 and Rtg3 in Candida albicans, showing that this pathway mediates adaptation to cellular stresses related to respiratory dysfunction.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag005
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag005
#evobio #molbio
Zhang et al. compared the genomes of six hibernating mammals, identifying an ancient amino acid substitution in POMT2 exhibiting signals of both convergent and positive selection. Functional studies demonstrated a role in hypoxia adaptation.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag001
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag001
#evobio #molbio
A POMT2 missense substitution contributes to hypoxia adaptation in hibernating mammals
Abstract. Hibernation is an adaptive survival strategy used by animals to cope with extreme environmental conditions. Although this physiological process i
doi.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Zhang et al. compared the genomes of six hibernating mammals, identifying an ancient amino acid substitution in POMT2 exhibiting signals of both convergent and positive selection. Functional studies demonstrated a role in hypoxia adaptation.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag001
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag001
#evobio #molbio
@marcosramos99.bsky.social @franromerocampero.bsky.social et al. present PharaohFUN, a web application designed for evolutionary and functional analysis of protein sequences in photosynthetic eukaryotes, leveraging orthology relationships.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag011
#evobio #molbio #compbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag011
#evobio #molbio #compbio
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM
@marcosramos99.bsky.social @franromerocampero.bsky.social et al. present PharaohFUN, a web application designed for evolutionary and functional analysis of protein sequences in photosynthetic eukaryotes, leveraging orthology relationships.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag011
#evobio #molbio #compbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag011
#evobio #molbio #compbio
Bai et al. performed developmental profiling of transcriptomic and chromatin dynamics in a bivalve mollusc to uncover gene regulatory networks underlying biomineralized skeletons in the Bilateria.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag019
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag019
#evobio #molbio
February 3, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Bai et al. performed developmental profiling of transcriptomic and chromatin dynamics in a bivalve mollusc to uncover gene regulatory networks underlying biomineralized skeletons in the Bilateria.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag019
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag019
#evobio #molbio
Xue et al. sequenced a two-generation pedigree of the amphioxus, a chordate with exceptionally high genomic heterozygosity, finding that elevated heterozygosity mainly results from a large effective population size.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio
February 2, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Xue et al. sequenced a two-generation pedigree of the amphioxus, a chordate with exceptionally high genomic heterozygosity, finding that elevated heterozygosity mainly results from a large effective population size.
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molb...
#evobio #molbio
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
SMBE is calling for nominations for Best Graduate Student Papers of 2025, recognizing outstanding papers in @molbioevol.bsky.social and @genomebiolevol.bsky.social
ποΈ Deadline Feb 27
Articles published in 2025 are eligible. The nominated student must be first author; anyone can nominate authors.
ποΈ Deadline Feb 27
Articles published in 2025 are eligible. The nominated student must be first author; anyone can nominate authors.
February 2, 2026 at 8:43 AM
SMBE is calling for nominations for Best Graduate Student Papers of 2025, recognizing outstanding papers in @molbioevol.bsky.social and @genomebiolevol.bsky.social
ποΈ Deadline Feb 27
Articles published in 2025 are eligible. The nominated student must be first author; anyone can nominate authors.
ποΈ Deadline Feb 27
Articles published in 2025 are eligible. The nominated student must be first author; anyone can nominate authors.
The February cover of Molecular Biology and Evolution features the work of Ward et al. on the evolution of SERPINA snake venom inhibitors in rodents.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
February 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The February cover of Molecular Biology and Evolution features the work of Ward et al. on the evolution of SERPINA snake venom inhibitors in rodents.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf290
ποΈ Rajani Arora
#evobio #molbio
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
Notably, the first four authors were all postdocs at @uconn.bsky.social @uconneeb.bsky.social . This is a great example of among-postdoc collaboration. Milan Vrtilek did the initial experiment, with Andrea Roth-Mozon on fish care. Lauren Fuess did the reference transcriptomes. Ben did all the rest
January 29, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Notably, the first four authors were all postdocs at @uconn.bsky.social @uconneeb.bsky.social . This is a great example of among-postdoc collaboration. Milan Vrtilek did the initial experiment, with Andrea Roth-Mozon on fish care. Lauren Fuess did the reference transcriptomes. Ben did all the rest
Flanagan et al. test the macroevolutionary stability of the transcriptomic response to a standardized immune challenge in 14 ray-finned fish; conserved phenotypic responses are associated with highly flexible gene regulatory architecture.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf323
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf323
#evobio #molbio
January 29, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Flanagan et al. test the macroevolutionary stability of the transcriptomic response to a standardized immune challenge in 14 ray-finned fish; conserved phenotypic responses are associated with highly flexible gene regulatory architecture.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf323
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf323
#evobio #molbio
Congratulations Agneesh on your great study, thank you and your colleagues for your contribution to MBE!
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Congratulations Agneesh on your great study, thank you and your colleagues for your contribution to MBE!
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
Our project on molecular convergence in teleosts is published in MBE. This study involved analysing over 2 million genes, and combining multiple data modalities to uncover some surprising insights behind the evolution of adaptations in teleosts. Thank you @hfspo.bsky.social for the funding!
Barua, @marcrr.ecoevo.social.ap.brid.gy et al. searched for convergent substitutions in teleost fishes, detecting convergence in 89 protein-coding gene families across 143 genomes. Functional experiments support functional roles of convergent genes.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
Estimates of molecular convergence reveal multiple genes with adaptive variation across teleost fish
Abstract. Molecular convergence, where specific nonsynonymous changes in protein-coding genes lead to identical amino acid substitutions across multiple li
doi.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Our project on molecular convergence in teleosts is published in MBE. This study involved analysing over 2 million genes, and combining multiple data modalities to uncover some surprising insights behind the evolution of adaptations in teleosts. Thank you @hfspo.bsky.social for the funding!
This Highlight was written by SMBE Fellow Haoran Cai @haorancai.bsky.social
Learn more about the SMBE Fellows Program here: smbe.org/smbe-fellows-program
Learn more about the SMBE Fellows Program here: smbe.org/smbe-fellows-program
January 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
This Highlight was written by SMBE Fellow Haoran Cai @haorancai.bsky.social
Learn more about the SMBE Fellows Program here: smbe.org/smbe-fellows-program
Learn more about the SMBE Fellows Program here: smbe.org/smbe-fellows-program
The recent MBE Review on the evolution of dark skin in humans is the focus of January's Highlight.
Highlight: Dark skin and cancer suppression in humansβan evolutionary spandrel?
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag012
#evobio #molbio
Highlight: Dark skin and cancer suppression in humansβan evolutionary spandrel?
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag012
#evobio #molbio
January 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
The recent MBE Review on the evolution of dark skin in humans is the focus of January's Highlight.
Highlight: Dark skin and cancer suppression in humansβan evolutionary spandrel?
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag012
#evobio #molbio
Highlight: Dark skin and cancer suppression in humansβan evolutionary spandrel?
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag012
#evobio #molbio
Barua, @marcrr.ecoevo.social.ap.brid.gy et al. searched for convergent substitutions in teleost fishes, detecting convergence in 89 protein-coding gene families across 143 genomes. Functional experiments support functional roles of convergent genes.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
Estimates of molecular convergence reveal multiple genes with adaptive variation across teleost fish
Abstract. Molecular convergence, where specific nonsynonymous changes in protein-coding genes lead to identical amino acid substitutions across multiple li
doi.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Barua, @marcrr.ecoevo.social.ap.brid.gy et al. searched for convergent substitutions in teleost fishes, detecting convergence in 89 protein-coding gene families across 143 genomes. Functional experiments support functional roles of convergent genes.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag015
#evobio #molbio
Shimmura et al. combined population genomics, transcriptomics, and neurobiology to study the molecular basis of fighting strategies in gamecocks, finding that neurodevelopment-related genes underlie differences in fighting strategies.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag007
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag007
#evobio #molbio
Genomic and neurobiological bases of variation in fighting strategies in gamecocks
Abstract. Aggression is an essential animal behavior for survival, particularly in situations where fighting cannot be avoided. In such situations, the cho
doi.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Shimmura et al. combined population genomics, transcriptomics, and neurobiology to study the molecular basis of fighting strategies in gamecocks, finding that neurodevelopment-related genes underlie differences in fighting strategies.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag007
#evobio #molbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag007
#evobio #molbio
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
Phylogeny of waterfowl: academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-... πͺΆπ§ͺ (π·Wang et al.)
January 22, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Phylogeny of waterfowl: academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-... πͺΆπ§ͺ (π·Wang et al.)
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
"Sugerimos que la prevalencia excepcionalmente alta del autismo en humanos podrΓa ser un resultado directo de selecciΓ³n natural para una menor expresiΓ³n de un conjunto de genes que conferΓan un beneficio de fitness a nuestros ancestros."
academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
A General Principle of Neuronal Evolution Reveals a Human-Accelerated Neuron Type Potentially Underlying the High Prevalence of Autism in Humans
Abstract. The remarkable ability of a single genome sequence to encode a diverse collection of distinct cell types, including the thousands of cell types f
academic.oup.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"Sugerimos que la prevalencia excepcionalmente alta del autismo en humanos podrΓa ser un resultado directo de selecciΓ³n natural para una menor expresiΓ³n de un conjunto de genes que conferΓan un beneficio de fitness a nuestros ancestros."
academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
Reposted by Molecular Biology and Evolution
New publication provide new insights into the #evolution of #venom in insects.
With Marius Maurstad @mariusmaur.bsky.social, Bea Ramiro, Jan Philip Oeyen, Pedro Nachtigall, Kjetill Jakobsen, Eivind Undheim from @biovitenskap.bsky.social & @unioslo-cees.bsky.social
Published @molbioevol.bsky.social
With Marius Maurstad @mariusmaur.bsky.social, Bea Ramiro, Jan Philip Oeyen, Pedro Nachtigall, Kjetill Jakobsen, Eivind Undheim from @biovitenskap.bsky.social & @unioslo-cees.bsky.social
Published @molbioevol.bsky.social
The green lacewing venom system and the complex mechanisms underlying its evolution
Abstract. Venom has independently evolved across many lineages, yet relatively few have been studied in detail, particularly among insects. Of these, Neuro
academic.oup.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:55 PM
New publication provide new insights into the #evolution of #venom in insects.
With Marius Maurstad @mariusmaur.bsky.social, Bea Ramiro, Jan Philip Oeyen, Pedro Nachtigall, Kjetill Jakobsen, Eivind Undheim from @biovitenskap.bsky.social & @unioslo-cees.bsky.social
Published @molbioevol.bsky.social
With Marius Maurstad @mariusmaur.bsky.social, Bea Ramiro, Jan Philip Oeyen, Pedro Nachtigall, Kjetill Jakobsen, Eivind Undheim from @biovitenskap.bsky.social & @unioslo-cees.bsky.social
Published @molbioevol.bsky.social
Bitsue, Tang & Yang review prehistoric demographic events and the genomic profiles of modern Africans and highlight the importance of integrated international cooperation to strengthen African genomics research.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf329
#evobio #molbio #humanevolution
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf329
#evobio #molbio #humanevolution
January 23, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Bitsue, Tang & Yang review prehistoric demographic events and the genomic profiles of modern Africans and highlight the importance of integrated international cooperation to strengthen African genomics research.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf329
#evobio #molbio #humanevolution
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf329
#evobio #molbio #humanevolution
Hale et al. analysed >500 grass genomes to support a βstable motifs, variable binding sitesβ model of cis-regulatory evolution that involves turnover of thousands of individual binding sites while preserving TF binding preferences.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf324
#evobio #molbio #PlantSky
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf324
#evobio #molbio #PlantSky
Widespread turnover of a conserved cis-regulatory code across 589 grass species
Abstract. The growing availability of genomes from non-model organisms offers new opportunities to identify functional loci underlying trait variation thro
doi.org
January 23, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Hale et al. analysed >500 grass genomes to support a βstable motifs, variable binding sitesβ model of cis-regulatory evolution that involves turnover of thousands of individual binding sites while preserving TF binding preferences.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf324
#evobio #molbio #PlantSky
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf324
#evobio #molbio #PlantSky
Shankar et al. present the updated MicrobeTrace 2.0 as a next-generation, interoperable tool for genomic epidemiology and data-driven public health response.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf334
#evobio #molbio #compbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf334
#evobio #molbio #compbio
January 23, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Shankar et al. present the updated MicrobeTrace 2.0 as a next-generation, interoperable tool for genomic epidemiology and data-driven public health response.
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf334
#evobio #molbio #compbio
π doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf334
#evobio #molbio #compbio