Evolutionary biologist (Multicellularity & social evolution). Prof. at Georgia Tech & Director of the QBioS PhD program.
https://ratclifflab.biosci.gatech.edu/
Will Ratcliff
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Our paper "Gene ancestries reveal diverse microbial associations during eukaryogenesis.” is finally out in Nature.
Eukaryogenesis was likely a gradual process shaped by multiple microbial partners and virus-mediated gene transfer, rather than a single binary symbiosis.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Finally, footage from that new whale graveyard.
The fact that fossils and fresh carcasses mix together in this spot is bonkers. But of course it makes sense, because the scavengers that live down there also need a steady supply over millions of years. They can't just suddenly adapt to the deep.
Another handful of sand in the gears:
Researchers cannot serve on a panel *at all* if anyone from their institution has submitted to that panel. Recusing themselves for the proposal itself is no longer sufficient.
This is needless, but will certainly slow things up even further.
I am having too much fun writing this book. I have tons of other things on my plate, but I keep shoving them aside to keep the flow going.
Our new paper doi.org/10.1098/rspb... on long-term genetic threats to small populations finds that "mutational meltdown" (bad mutations fixing) is less of a problem than "mutational drought" (too few good new mutations) @wmawass.bsky.social @uliseshmc.bsky.social @jeremyjberg.bsky.social 1/5
