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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

HittingerLab @hittingerlab.bsky.social · 1d

In a preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social , @linder-surprise.bsky.social developed a high-throughput extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) assay to evaluate glycolytic rate. We highlight how genetic traits, such as aerobic fermentation, can arise convergently with strong constraints. 🧬

Convergent evolution of aerobic fermentation through divergent mechanisms acting on key shared glycolytic genes

As the tree of life becomes increasingly accessible to molecular investigations, describing mechanisms underlying evolutionary convergence and constraint will be crucial to understanding diversificati...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

HittingerLab @hittingerlab.bsky.social · 1d

This work has also been featured on the DOE Science News Source initiative, Newswise, which promotes credible research news to the public. By publishing accessible summaries of recent studies that reach thousands of media outlets, it helps experts share their work with a broader audience.

Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress

Scientists used machine learning to analyze the genetic blueprints of hundreds of yeasts. This analysis allowed them to identify which groups of genes are most important for resistance to reactive oxy...

www.newswise.com

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

HittingerLab @hittingerlab.bsky.social · 1d

We are honored to share that our work, led by @katarina-aranguiz.bsky.social and @linder-surprise.bsky.social, has been featured as a Science Highlight on the DOE's Office of Science website. 200 articles are selected annually to be highlighted. Check it out! 🧫
www.energy.gov/science/ber/...

Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress

Study provides a framework for connecting genetic mechanisms and trait variation across diverse yeast species.

www.energy.gov

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 2d

This provides insights into evolutionary constraints of this trait and suggests that increased glycolytic rate and aerobic fermentation may be predictable based on genomic sequences.

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 2d

What we find really compelling is that these yeasts (the model yeast and Saturnispora) both have rapid glycolytic rates by increasing the abundance of the same key glycolytic enzymes, through divergent molecular mechanism (duplication v cis-regulatory element recruitment).

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 2d

We took things one step further and identified cis-regulatory elements in the promoters of these genes and found more Gal4p binding sites!

Sure enough mutants lacking GAL4 had slower glucose consumption and a more respiratory phenotype!

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 2d

We found that some yeasts in the genus Saturnispora have convergently evolved aerobic fermentation!

Through comparative transcriptomics we found that several key glycolytic genes were upregulated. What surprised us was that these were orthologs of duplicated genes in the model yeast!

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 2d

What started as a project characterizing variation in metabolic rates across yeasts turned into an interesting story about convergent evolution acting on the same key genes through distinct molecular mechanisms with @hittingerlab.bsky.social & @rokaslab.bsky.social.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Convergent evolution of aerobic fermentation through divergent mechanisms acting on key shared glycolytic genes

As the tree of life becomes increasingly accessible to molecular investigations, describing mechanisms underlying evolutionary convergence and constraint will be crucial to understanding diversificati...

www.biorxiv.org

1 4 6

Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

HittingerLab @hittingerlab.bsky.social · 21d

Checkout our new preprint with the @rokaslab.bsky.social!:

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

doi: doi.org/10.1101/2025...

Discovery of additional ancient genome duplications in yeasts

Whole genome duplication (WGD) has had profound macroevolutionary impacts on diverse lineages[1][1],[2][2], preceding adaptive radiations in vertebrates[3][3]–[5][4], teleost fish[6][5],[7][6], and an...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

One Health U of Guelph @onehealthuofg.bsky.social · 22d

Did you know that U of Guelph's Bachelor of One Health is the first of its kind in Canada?

Students take science & social science courses to explore the foundations of health to gain skills needed to implement a One Health approach.

To learn more, visit: uoguelph.ca/programs/bac...

Bachelor of One Health at the University of Guelph.

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 23d

I was lucky enough to hear about this work during a seminar earlier this year and @benwolfe.bsky.social brought samples of the white rind cheese. I can confirm it was still delicious.

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · 23d

Excellent new story about fungal adaptation during human food production.
Researchers documented a green to white shift over 8 years of sampling in this Penicillium fungus in the dark cheese caves: 🧀
www.cell.com/current-biol...

Long-term monitoring of a North American cheese cave reveals mechanisms and consequences of fungal adaptation

Using a unique longitudinal sampling approach, Louw et al. demonstrate how a cheese-associated Penicillium population has adapted in an artisan cheese production facility in Vermont, USA. Adaptation i...

www.cell.com

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Sep 5

Yesss! 🙌

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Sep 5

The implications of these WGDs seem broad, influencing metabolism, expression, and signaling.

Great work led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social 🎉 with @jlsteenwyk.bsky.social @ana-pontes.bsky.social @hittingerlab.bsky.social @rokaslab.bsky.social and others who aren't on bluesky!

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Sep 5

Kyle found increased rates of gene duplications in a few lineages in the Dipodascales and we went on to generate new high quality genomes to identify colinear segments of paralogs within genomes. This confirmed we were indeed seeing doubles!

two young girls are standing next to each other looking at each other .

ALT: two young girls are standing next to each other looking at each other .

media.tenor.com

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Sep 5

We often talk about THE whole genome duplication in yeasts, but we find new evidence of additional whole genome duplications in other yeast species!

Check out this preprint led by @kylethedavid.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Discovery of additional ancient genome duplications in yeasts

Whole genome duplication (WGD) has had profound macroevolutionary impacts on diverse lineages, preceding adaptive radiations in vertebrates, teleost fish, and angiosperms. In contrast to the many know...

www.biorxiv.org

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

Rachel Germain @gerlame.bsky.social · Aug 17

🚨postdoc opportunity at UBC🚨 applications are now open for the Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship, due internally Oct. 15 - www.postdocs.ubc.ca/award/killam...

I can nominate 1 person and give feedback on that nominee's materials - if interested plz email me by Sept. 10 - join us!

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

Joey Bernhardt @joeybernhardt.bsky.social · Aug 14

Please help us spread the word! Please amplify!

We are searching for an associate or full professor (Canada Excellence Research Chair) in Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph! 🐟🌿🦠🐜🐸🐝

Applications are due October 6 2025.

careers.uoguelph.ca/job/Guelph-C...

#AcademicJobs #EvoBio

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Biodiversity Genomics

careers.uoguelph.ca

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Aug 8

Awww thanks so much, Annie! 🥹

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

LaBella Lab @lablabella.bsky.social · Aug 6

Amazing work from Dr. Anne Hatmaker @annemakerofhats.bsky.social at @canfunnet.bsky.social #CFN25

She takes us on a deep dive into the diversity of Penicillium isolates from diverse habitats

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

LaBella Lab @lablabella.bsky.social · Aug 6

Excited to tune into the CanFunNet meeting! @canfunnet.bsky.social

Check out our trainee Isha Jain's presentation on Friday in the Fungal Genetics & Genomics VI starting at 3:50pm

#CFN25

Great introduction to CanFunNet with Dr. Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social

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Reposted by Linda Horianopoulos

CanFunNet @canfunnet.bsky.social · Aug 6

CanFunNet25 🍄🇨🇦 starts tomorrow!
So excited for all the presentations!

Check out the conference website for more info: canfunnet.conferences.uwo.ca

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Jul 30

Sometimes when I tell people that the clocks used to speed up in my hometown when we were on "smelter time" they look at me like I'm crazy.
Here's an article explaining one of the eccentricities of my childhood in northern BC: thetyee.ca/News/2025/07...

@thetyee.ca

Why Time Sometimes Speeds Up in Northwest BC | The Tyee

Those living in Kitimat or Terrace get to live through a time warp a few times a year.

thetyee.ca

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Jul 27

Bird's nest fungi are always an exciting find!

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Linda Horianopoulos @linder-surprise.bsky.social · Jul 18

Check out this postdoc opportunity!

As an outgoing postdoc, I can honestly say that Chris helped me reach my goal and I made a lot of friends along the way!

HittingerLab @hittingerlab.bsky.social · Jul 10

We have an opening for postdoctoral training! Please apply by 15th August 2025 for full consideration. Here is the ad: hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu/People/Join/...

hittinger.genetics.wisc.edu

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