Professor & Assoc Dept Head UofA EEB (@uofa-eeb.bsky.social) in Tucson studying plant evolution, botany, polyploidy, chromosomes, and biodiversity. Views are my own. He/Him https://www.barkerlab.net
Mike Barker
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New online! Evolutionary causes and consequences of gene duplication
New paper out: “allopatric” Drosophila species aren’t so allopatric after all. We show that most currently allopatric species pairs probably overlapped in the past and exchanged genes at levels similar to sympatric pairs. @evolletters.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evle... [1/6]
Registration is OPEN for #Botany2026 – Biodiversity at the Boundaries, August 1-5 in Tucson, AZ!
– Early-Registration Deadline: Apr 30
– Abstract Deadline: Apr 13
– BSA Travel Awards Deadline: Mar 15
– BSA Sectional Student Travel Awards Deadline: Apr 1
www.botanyconference.org
www.botany.org
DEADLINE IN 2 WEEKS
🌿SPECIAL ISSUE CALL FOR PAPERS🌿
#AppsPlantSci invites proposals for “Plant genome skimming: Special uses and future potential,” led by Quentin Cronk, Nolan Kane & Kyle Keepers.
More info at botany.org/home/publica...
#botany #phylogenetics #genomics #plantscience
Virtual workshop on #genomics analysis for #RadSeq - spaces available still for next week - Dec 16-18th! Live instruction by @noahreid.bsky.social Learn QC through data analysis using common #bioinformatic tools - #Stacks #Freebayes @uconnresearch.bsky.social @cbcuconn.bsky.social
Differential expression of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes drives the production of transgressive pigments in #Nicotiana section Repandae allotetraploids
New #AJB research by @emccnicotiana.bsky.social, @jlandisbotany.bsky.social, et al.
doi.org/10.1002/ajb2... #botany #polyploidy
Fascinated to learn that we are still discovering new species at the highest rate ever. Mapping Earth's biodiversity is far from over, and while we learn more and more about it, let's protect what we do know as well as we can!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Nominations are open for the BSA Impact Award!
This award honors a BSA member, group, or institution whose work expands access, strengthens community, and improves practices in botanical research and education.
Nomination Deadline: May 1, 2026
Learn more, here: botany.org/home/awards/...
Our plant-focused REU program, led by Prof Nagel, is open for applications, please forward to undergrads and reskeet etap.nsf.gov/award/7573/o... 🌱 🧪
Nature Reviews Genetics, Published online: 16 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41576-026-00935-5Gene duplication is a key evolutionary mechanism, as initially redundant paralogues diverge over time. The authors review how adaptive and non-adaptive forces influence the evolutionary fates of gene duplicates, highlighting the importance of function–fitness relationships and gene expression dynamics.
Abstract. The allopatric model of speciation has dominated our understanding of speciation biology and biogeography since the Modern Synthesis. It is uncon
doi.org
Carolyn Rasmussen
This is a disaster. I would not be where I am today without the constructive (and yes, sometimes frustrating) reviews my NSF proposals received as a young investigator. This feedback didn't come from the POs but rather the peer reviewers and panelists who saw how I was trying to enter the field
etap.nsf.gov
The number of known species on Earth is increasing rapidly, suggesting unexpectedly large numbers of many groups.
NSF now planning to let POs largely decide what gets funded, and to send PIs reviews that are only 3-5 sentences long. They don't have to use outside reviewers (except maybe 1) and don't have to convene panels. (1/5)
HL Eisthen, defective human product
Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities
