Roman Zug
@romanzug.bsky.social
Postdoc in theoretical biology @mainzuniversity.bsky.social. Evolution & development, gene regulation, health & disease, symbiosis. And a fondness for the humanities
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Sz-2qz4AAAAJ&hl=en
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Sz-2qz4AAAAJ&hl=en
Pinned
Roman Zug
@romanzug.bsky.social
· Oct 15
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective - Volume 4
bit.ly
3 years ago, Tobias Uller (@biologylu.bsky.social) and I proposed that important human brain-/face-related traits evolved through #downregulation of transcriptional regulation (TR) genes for brain/face development, e.g. ARID1B, ARID2, BAZ1B, CUX1, FOXP2, NFIX, SATB2 & TCF20.
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
Reposted by Roman Zug
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
Reposted by Roman Zug
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Cas Mudde spells out what has become largely the consensus among researchers: moving right on immigration will not weaken the far right nor strengthen social democracy. If your reaction is "but in Denmark" please at least familiarize yourself with Danish politics
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Roman Zug
This is terrifying.
"[AI agents] can... infer a researcher's latent hypotheses and produce data that artificially confirms them."
...
"We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people" [email protected]
"[AI agents] can... infer a researcher's latent hypotheses and produce data that artificially confirms them."
...
"We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people" [email protected]
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 PM
This is terrifying.
"[AI agents] can... infer a researcher's latent hypotheses and produce data that artificially confirms them."
...
"We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people" [email protected]
"[AI agents] can... infer a researcher's latent hypotheses and produce data that artificially confirms them."
...
"We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people" [email protected]
Reposted by Roman Zug
We have a funded NERC PhD studentship!
Selfish X chromosomes are these bizarre things where males carrying the selfish X suffer from imploding testes. Lots to do in this space, especially in evolutionary, stress, and infection biology.
Please share!
#PhDchat #AcademicSky @uniexecec.bsky.social
Selfish X chromosomes are these bizarre things where males carrying the selfish X suffer from imploding testes. Lots to do in this space, especially in evolutionary, stress, and infection biology.
Please share!
#PhDchat #AcademicSky @uniexecec.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We have a funded NERC PhD studentship!
Selfish X chromosomes are these bizarre things where males carrying the selfish X suffer from imploding testes. Lots to do in this space, especially in evolutionary, stress, and infection biology.
Please share!
#PhDchat #AcademicSky @uniexecec.bsky.social
Selfish X chromosomes are these bizarre things where males carrying the selfish X suffer from imploding testes. Lots to do in this space, especially in evolutionary, stress, and infection biology.
Please share!
#PhDchat #AcademicSky @uniexecec.bsky.social
Reposted by Roman Zug
New paper with @statsepi.bsky.social and @deevybee.bsky.social in which we show there's really no evidence for a link between the gut microbiome and autism www.cell.com/neuron/fullt...
Conceptual and methodological flaws undermine claims of a link between the gut microbiome and autism
Claims that the gut microbiome causally contributes to autism regularly appear in
the scientific literature and popular press. Mitchell et al. critically examine influential
studies underpinning these...
www.cell.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New paper with @statsepi.bsky.social and @deevybee.bsky.social in which we show there's really no evidence for a link between the gut microbiome and autism www.cell.com/neuron/fullt...
Reposted by Roman Zug
Regenwald war gestern, jetzt verkündet Merz Doppelschlag gegen Klimaschutz! Während sich Carsten Schneider weiter im Amazonas für den Klimaschutz abmüht, fällt ihm die eigene Koalition in den Rücken. Denn im Koalitionsausschuss spielt Klima dann plötzlich keine Rolle mehr.
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Regenwald war gestern, jetzt verkündet Merz Doppelschlag gegen Klimaschutz! Während sich Carsten Schneider weiter im Amazonas für den Klimaschutz abmüht, fällt ihm die eigene Koalition in den Rücken. Denn im Koalitionsausschuss spielt Klima dann plötzlich keine Rolle mehr.
Reposted by Roman Zug
Seine Stimme fehlt: Wir trauern um Micha Brumlik, »Blätter«-Mitherausgeber seit 1996, und erinnern an ihn mit der Würdigung von Hauke Brunkhorst anlässlich seines 60. Geburtstags vor 18 Jahren: www.blaetter.de/ausgabe/2007...
Dich singe ich, Demokratie
Als ich Micha vor mehr als 35 Jahren, ich glaube es war 1970, kennen lernte, kam er gerade aus Israel zurück, wo er zwei Jahre gelebt hatte, und wir haben, während wir ein Stück Wegs gemeinsam über…
www.blaetter.de
November 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Seine Stimme fehlt: Wir trauern um Micha Brumlik, »Blätter«-Mitherausgeber seit 1996, und erinnern an ihn mit der Würdigung von Hauke Brunkhorst anlässlich seines 60. Geburtstags vor 18 Jahren: www.blaetter.de/ausgabe/2007...
Reposted by Roman Zug
v sad to hear Antonio García-Bellido's passing. his work on mitotic clones led to fundamental insights such as compartment boundaries, enabled post-embryonic analysis of lethals, and revealed autonomous vs non-autonomous effects of mutants. and founding father of Spanish DB and Drosophila schools.🪰
The European Drosophila Society #flyEDS extends the condolences on the passing of Antonio García-Bellido, considered the founder of the Spanish school of #Drosophila genetics and an influential figure in developmental biology research worldwide. May he rest in peace.
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
v sad to hear Antonio García-Bellido's passing. his work on mitotic clones led to fundamental insights such as compartment boundaries, enabled post-embryonic analysis of lethals, and revealed autonomous vs non-autonomous effects of mutants. and founding father of Spanish DB and Drosophila schools.🪰
Reposted by Roman Zug
Whipple's disease was an inflammatory condition for decades, it became an infectious disease some years ago, and it is now becoming a genetic disorder:
IRF4 haploinsufficiency in a multiplex family with Whipple’s disease url: rupress.org/jhi/article/...
IRF4 haploinsufficiency in a multiplex family with Whipple’s disease url: rupress.org/jhi/article/...
IRF4 haploinsufficiency in a multiplex family with Whipple’s disease | Journal of Human Immunity | Rockefeller University Press
We report two patients with Whipple’s disease caused by autosomal dominant IRF4 deficiency.
rupress.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Whipple's disease was an inflammatory condition for decades, it became an infectious disease some years ago, and it is now becoming a genetic disorder:
IRF4 haploinsufficiency in a multiplex family with Whipple’s disease url: rupress.org/jhi/article/...
IRF4 haploinsufficiency in a multiplex family with Whipple’s disease url: rupress.org/jhi/article/...
Reposted by Roman Zug
Moreover, we argued that TR genes important for human evolution also show #haploinsufficiency and are involved in neurodevelopmental disorders #NDDs, incl. intellectual disability (ID), #autism, and #schizophrenia.
Recently, more evidence has been emerging that supports this hypothesis:
(2/6)
Recently, more evidence has been emerging that supports this hypothesis:
(2/6)
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Moreover, we argued that TR genes important for human evolution also show #haploinsufficiency and are involved in neurodevelopmental disorders #NDDs, incl. intellectual disability (ID), #autism, and #schizophrenia.
Recently, more evidence has been emerging that supports this hypothesis:
(2/6)
Recently, more evidence has been emerging that supports this hypothesis:
(2/6)
Reposted by Roman Zug
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Reposted by Roman Zug
We have an open PhD position (application deadline 9 January 2026) in "Theory of fitness landscapes" at @unibe.ch 🤓⛰️📊👩💻🎓: banklab.github.io/positions/
Please share widely!
#QueerInSTEM #DisabledInSTEM #BlackInSTEM #WomenInSTEM #CarersInSTEM #AcademicSky #HigherED
Please share widely!
#QueerInSTEM #DisabledInSTEM #BlackInSTEM #WomenInSTEM #CarersInSTEM #AcademicSky #HigherED
October 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
We have an open PhD position (application deadline 9 January 2026) in "Theory of fitness landscapes" at @unibe.ch 🤓⛰️📊👩💻🎓: banklab.github.io/positions/
Please share widely!
#QueerInSTEM #DisabledInSTEM #BlackInSTEM #WomenInSTEM #CarersInSTEM #AcademicSky #HigherED
Please share widely!
#QueerInSTEM #DisabledInSTEM #BlackInSTEM #WomenInSTEM #CarersInSTEM #AcademicSky #HigherED
Reposted by Roman Zug
Über 50 Frauen antworten in einem Brief auf Merz' »Stadtbild«-Äußerungen. Sie fordern echten Schutz vor Gewalt – und stellen sich gegen rassistische Aussagen, schreibt @xeniam.bsky.social
Frauen gegen Merz: Besserer Frauenschutz scheitert auch an der Wirtschaftspolitik
Über 50 Frauen antworten in einem Brief auf Merz' »Stadtbild«-Äußerungen. Sie fordern echten Schutz vor Gewalt – und stellen sich gegen rassistische Aussagen.
www.surplusmagazin.de
October 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Über 50 Frauen antworten in einem Brief auf Merz' »Stadtbild«-Äußerungen. Sie fordern echten Schutz vor Gewalt – und stellen sich gegen rassistische Aussagen, schreibt @xeniam.bsky.social
Reposted by Roman Zug
Falls noch irgendwer in der Bundesregierung an den wirklichen Problemen der Menschen interessiert ist, hier ist eines:
"Mütter verdienen im vierten Jahr nach der Geburt durchschnittlich fast 30.000 Euro weniger als gleichaltrige Frauen ohne Kinder."
"Mütter verdienen im vierten Jahr nach der Geburt durchschnittlich fast 30.000 Euro weniger als gleichaltrige Frauen ohne Kinder."
Studie: Einkommensverlust für Mütter nach Geburt höher als angenommen
Der Einkommensverlust von Müttern nach der Geburt des ersten Kindes ist laut einer ZEW-Studie deutlich größer als bisher angenommen. Die Untersuchung deckt Schwachstellen der bisherigen Berechnungen a...
www.tagesschau.de
October 28, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Falls noch irgendwer in der Bundesregierung an den wirklichen Problemen der Menschen interessiert ist, hier ist eines:
"Mütter verdienen im vierten Jahr nach der Geburt durchschnittlich fast 30.000 Euro weniger als gleichaltrige Frauen ohne Kinder."
"Mütter verdienen im vierten Jahr nach der Geburt durchschnittlich fast 30.000 Euro weniger als gleichaltrige Frauen ohne Kinder."
Reposted by Roman Zug
Vor einem Jahr erschien "Wut und Wertung. Warum wir über Geschmack streiten". Seitdem habe ich mit dem Buch viele schöne Erfahrungen gemacht. Ich denke/hoffe, das Thema ist nach wie vor aktuell.
Zum Anlass des Jubiläums verlose ich zwei signierte Exemplare.
Zum Mitmachen den Post teilen.
Zum Anlass des Jubiläums verlose ich zwei signierte Exemplare.
Zum Mitmachen den Post teilen.
October 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Vor einem Jahr erschien "Wut und Wertung. Warum wir über Geschmack streiten". Seitdem habe ich mit dem Buch viele schöne Erfahrungen gemacht. Ich denke/hoffe, das Thema ist nach wie vor aktuell.
Zum Anlass des Jubiläums verlose ich zwei signierte Exemplare.
Zum Mitmachen den Post teilen.
Zum Anlass des Jubiläums verlose ich zwei signierte Exemplare.
Zum Mitmachen den Post teilen.
Reposted by Roman Zug
Aus dem Bett geholt, in den Abschiebflieger gesetzt, trotz Ausbildungsvertrag
👉Es ist eben eine Lüge, dass es im Stadtbildstreit nur gegen nicht-integrierte Menschen geht.
Es geht um den "Anderen" an sich, damit das Stadtbild wieder WEISS wird
taz.de/Abschiebung-...
👉Es ist eben eine Lüge, dass es im Stadtbildstreit nur gegen nicht-integrierte Menschen geht.
Es geht um den "Anderen" an sich, damit das Stadtbild wieder WEISS wird
taz.de/Abschiebung-...
Abschiebung trotz Ausbildungsvertrag: Aus dem Bett geholt, ins Flugzeug gesetzt
Rouaa und Ibrahim hatten ihre Ausbildungsverträge unterschrieben und hätten damit bis zum Abschluss bleiben dürfen. Trotzdem wurden sie abgeschoben.
taz.de
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Aus dem Bett geholt, in den Abschiebflieger gesetzt, trotz Ausbildungsvertrag
👉Es ist eben eine Lüge, dass es im Stadtbildstreit nur gegen nicht-integrierte Menschen geht.
Es geht um den "Anderen" an sich, damit das Stadtbild wieder WEISS wird
taz.de/Abschiebung-...
👉Es ist eben eine Lüge, dass es im Stadtbildstreit nur gegen nicht-integrierte Menschen geht.
Es geht um den "Anderen" an sich, damit das Stadtbild wieder WEISS wird
taz.de/Abschiebung-...
Reposted by Roman Zug
October 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Reposted by Roman Zug
3 years ago, Tobias Uller (@biologylu.bsky.social) and I proposed that important human brain-/face-related traits evolved through #downregulation of transcriptional regulation (TR) genes for brain/face development, e.g. ARID1B, ARID2, BAZ1B, CUX1, FOXP2, NFIX, SATB2 & TCF20.
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective - Volume 4
bit.ly
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
3 years ago, Tobias Uller (@biologylu.bsky.social) and I proposed that important human brain-/face-related traits evolved through #downregulation of transcriptional regulation (TR) genes for brain/face development, e.g. ARID1B, ARID2, BAZ1B, CUX1, FOXP2, NFIX, SATB2 & TCF20.
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
Reposted by Roman Zug
I am scheduled for knee surgery in a few weeks. The contrast between the prehab / rehab that you get for knee surgery & what you get for a c-section (which is nothing) is WILD.
October 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I am scheduled for knee surgery in a few weeks. The contrast between the prehab / rehab that you get for knee surgery & what you get for a c-section (which is nothing) is WILD.
"[D]ie „Rückführungen in großem Umfang“, die Merz und Söder als Gegenmittel vorschlagen, würden nichts am Bild der multikulturellen deutschen Wirklichkeit ändern – es sei denn, diese Kosmetik wäre tatsächlich so faschistisch gemeint, wie sie klingt."
October 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
"[D]ie „Rückführungen in großem Umfang“, die Merz und Söder als Gegenmittel vorschlagen, würden nichts am Bild der multikulturellen deutschen Wirklichkeit ändern – es sei denn, diese Kosmetik wäre tatsächlich so faschistisch gemeint, wie sie klingt."
Reposted by Roman Zug
My little book on Schrödinger's famous classic 'What Is Life?' is out! Offering the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the book's origins, reception, impact, and legacy, it uncovers Schrödinger's motivations in writing it, and shows how it has shaped our current understanding of the cell
<i>What Is Life?</i> Revisited
Cambridge Core - Philosophy: General Interest - <i>What Is Life?</i> Revisited
www.cambridge.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
My little book on Schrödinger's famous classic 'What Is Life?' is out! Offering the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the book's origins, reception, impact, and legacy, it uncovers Schrödinger's motivations in writing it, and shows how it has shaped our current understanding of the cell
3 years ago, Tobias Uller (@biologylu.bsky.social) and I proposed that important human brain-/face-related traits evolved through #downregulation of transcriptional regulation (TR) genes for brain/face development, e.g. ARID1B, ARID2, BAZ1B, CUX1, FOXP2, NFIX, SATB2 & TCF20.
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core
Evolution and dysfunction of human cognitive and social traits: A transcriptional regulation perspective - Volume 4
bit.ly
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
3 years ago, Tobias Uller (@biologylu.bsky.social) and I proposed that important human brain-/face-related traits evolved through #downregulation of transcriptional regulation (TR) genes for brain/face development, e.g. ARID1B, ARID2, BAZ1B, CUX1, FOXP2, NFIX, SATB2 & TCF20.
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
(1/6)
bit.ly/42HvlOg
Reposted by Roman Zug
🚨 Please share! We are seeking motivated PhD students who wish to work at the intersection of molecular life sciences and computational sciences.
#IMPRS #IMPRSBAC @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social @maxplanck.de
Check out our projects and apply by Jan 7th, 2026!
www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
#IMPRS #IMPRSBAC @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social @maxplanck.de
Check out our projects and apply by Jan 7th, 2026!
www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
October 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
🚨 Please share! We are seeking motivated PhD students who wish to work at the intersection of molecular life sciences and computational sciences.
#IMPRS #IMPRSBAC @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social @maxplanck.de
Check out our projects and apply by Jan 7th, 2026!
www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
#IMPRS #IMPRSBAC @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social @maxplanck.de
Check out our projects and apply by Jan 7th, 2026!
www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
Reposted by Roman Zug
OMFG. Rush is back on tour! www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Legendary Canadian rock band Rush will return to the road
Surviving members of Rush, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, are reuniting for a 2026 concert tour with drummer Anika Nilles sitting in for the late Neil Peart.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
OMFG. Rush is back on tour! www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Roman Zug
The HPV vaccine is doing what had been promised.
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
October 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
The HPV vaccine is doing what had been promised.
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪