Nitin Ravikanthachari
@naikasanuchara.bsky.social
post-doc with Brandon Cooper at UMontana | Pop genetics, lepidoptera, wolbachia, genomics & nat. history | Past grad student with Carol Boggs at USC | on the tt job market!
https://nitinravi.com
https://nitinravi.com
Listen to our recent work, published in Heredity!
🎙️ New podcast!
We often hear that invasive species are bad for ecosystems they invade, but the consequences can seem fuzzy.
We hear from @naikasanuchara.bsky.social and @carolboggs.bsky.social about their study system, where an invasive plant has very tangible effects for a native butterfly.
We often hear that invasive species are bad for ecosystems they invade, but the consequences can seem fuzzy.
We hear from @naikasanuchara.bsky.social and @carolboggs.bsky.social about their study system, where an invasive plant has very tangible effects for a native butterfly.
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Listen to our recent work, published in Heredity!
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
June 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Hey #Evol2025 - My colleague @waspvenom.bsky.social and I are looking for a postdoc for our #NSF - #USDA funded grant to understand the genetic basis of gall formation! Please see that attached ad, and feel free to talk to me @evolmtg.bsky.social, or contact Dr. Ellen Martinson directly!
June 21, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Hey #Evol2025 - My colleague @waspvenom.bsky.social and I are looking for a postdoc for our #NSF - #USDA funded grant to understand the genetic basis of gall formation! Please see that attached ad, and feel free to talk to me @evolmtg.bsky.social, or contact Dr. Ellen Martinson directly!
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
SSE @sse-evolution.bsky.social address Carol Boggs @carolboggs.bsky.social examines the Evolutionary Play in the Ecological Theater
Thinking anout who is welcome to see the play 🎭, what parts are worth studying🔬, what tools we use to see the play 💻, who's funding 💲 & who is watching 🧑🏼🤝🧑🏾
#Evol2025
Thinking anout who is welcome to see the play 🎭, what parts are worth studying🔬, what tools we use to see the play 💻, who's funding 💲 & who is watching 🧑🏼🤝🧑🏾
#Evol2025
June 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
SSE @sse-evolution.bsky.social address Carol Boggs @carolboggs.bsky.social examines the Evolutionary Play in the Ecological Theater
Thinking anout who is welcome to see the play 🎭, what parts are worth studying🔬, what tools we use to see the play 💻, who's funding 💲 & who is watching 🧑🏼🤝🧑🏾
#Evol2025
Thinking anout who is welcome to see the play 🎭, what parts are worth studying🔬, what tools we use to see the play 💻, who's funding 💲 & who is watching 🧑🏼🤝🧑🏾
#Evol2025
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Looking for a postdoc on bacterial-insect symbiosis, combining evolution and molecular mechanisms? I'll have one open in my lab starting Sept 2025. If interested contact me (or find me at the GRC on Animal-microbe symbiosis if you'll be there). #SymbioSky
May 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Looking for a postdoc on bacterial-insect symbiosis, combining evolution and molecular mechanisms? I'll have one open in my lab starting Sept 2025. If interested contact me (or find me at the GRC on Animal-microbe symbiosis if you'll be there). #SymbioSky
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
🚨New paper alert!🚨
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
Supplemental Feeding as a Driver of Population Expansion and Morphological Change in Anna's Hummingbirds
Bird beaks are highly adaptable, with the potential to undergo rapid morphological shifts in response to environmental change such as climatic variation or food availability. Anna's Hummingbirds (Cal...
dx.doi.org
May 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
🚨New paper alert!🚨
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
We show that hummingbird beaks have changed in shape & size since around WWII, driven by the rise of commercialized feeders! 🧵
📄 Paper: dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
#ornithology #evolution #GlobalChangeBiology
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Legume can form symbiotic relationship with some bacteria, while recognising others as pathogens. Work @nature identifies a plant kinase that mediates this nuanced balance of tolerance towards symbionts without compromised plant immunity. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A kinase mediator of rhizobial symbiosis and immunity in Medicago - Nature
Nature - A kinase mediator of rhizobial symbiosis and immunity in Medicago
www.nature.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Legume can form symbiotic relationship with some bacteria, while recognising others as pathogens. Work @nature identifies a plant kinase that mediates this nuanced balance of tolerance towards symbionts without compromised plant immunity. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Colossal genetically altering a grey wolf genome to make it more dire wolfish is not the same thing as de-extincting the actual dire wolf.
On the other hand, Colossal Biosciences were transparent in what their future vision is and what they are actually planning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uC...
On the other hand, Colossal Biosciences were transparent in what their future vision is and what they are actually planning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uC...
The Making of the Colossal Dire Wolves - World's First De-Extinction
YouTube video by Colossal Biosciences
www.youtube.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Colossal genetically altering a grey wolf genome to make it more dire wolfish is not the same thing as de-extincting the actual dire wolf.
On the other hand, Colossal Biosciences were transparent in what their future vision is and what they are actually planning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uC...
On the other hand, Colossal Biosciences were transparent in what their future vision is and what they are actually planning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uC...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Our latest paper revisits Haldane 1957 on speed limits to adaptation, the paper that triggered neutral theory. We clarify and then significantly extend the theory, and apply the resulting model to @mexpositoalonso.bsky.social's data doi.org/10.1093/gene... 1/14
Substitution load revisited: a high proportion of deaths can be selective
Abstract. Haldane's Dilemma refers to the concern that the need for many “selective deaths” to complete a substitution (i.e. selective sweep) creates a spe
doi.org
March 19, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Our latest paper revisits Haldane 1957 on speed limits to adaptation, the paper that triggered neutral theory. We clarify and then significantly extend the theory, and apply the resulting model to @mexpositoalonso.bsky.social's data doi.org/10.1093/gene... 1/14
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
1/ H3K27me3 mimicry has repeatedly emerged through evolution, but what's the physiological relevance?
We show that JARID2 and PALI1 mimic H3K27me3 to antagonise PRC2 in vivo and restrict the spread of Polycomb domains.
🧵
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that JARID2 and PALI1 mimic H3K27me3 to antagonise PRC2 in vivo and restrict the spread of Polycomb domains.
🧵
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
March 15, 2025 at 12:12 AM
1/ H3K27me3 mimicry has repeatedly emerged through evolution, but what's the physiological relevance?
We show that JARID2 and PALI1 mimic H3K27me3 to antagonise PRC2 in vivo and restrict the spread of Polycomb domains.
🧵
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that JARID2 and PALI1 mimic H3K27me3 to antagonise PRC2 in vivo and restrict the spread of Polycomb domains.
🧵
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
With gene genealogies it’s pretty ridiculous. Like you could fit every human genome on the planet on a single usb drive. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Inferring whole-genome histories in large population datasets - Nature Genetics
A new method for inferring genealogical histories from large-scale genetic data is used to characterize population structure using data from the 1000 Genomes Project, the UK Biobank and the Simons Gen...
www.nature.com
March 2, 2025 at 6:17 PM
With gene genealogies it’s pretty ridiculous. Like you could fit every human genome on the planet on a single usb drive. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
If you have been affected by the fires in LA, or are concerned about your ability to keep precious Drosophila strains going during the latest funding crisis, we will host your strains as a backup. Please email me.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
January 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
If you have been affected by the fires in LA, or are concerned about your ability to keep precious Drosophila strains going during the latest funding crisis, we will host your strains as a backup. Please email me.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
This map shows how much NIH funding goes to your state. I used the info on my state when I called officials to ask them to push back against the freeze. And if I can do it when my senators are Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville...well, I mean...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
NIH In Your State - United For Medical Research
Select a state on the map to see the impact of NIH funding across America.
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org
January 23, 2025 at 3:55 AM
This map shows how much NIH funding goes to your state. I used the info on my state when I called officials to ask them to push back against the freeze. And if I can do it when my senators are Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville...well, I mean...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
New Goal: turn my house into an insect collection www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/01/mant...
Mantra's Murals Collect Enormous Butterflies in Building-Size Specimen Cases
Fascination by nature and its preservation, Mantra creates monumental specimen cases on buildings around the world.
www.thisiscolossal.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
New Goal: turn my house into an insect collection www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/01/mant...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
A nematode gene family evolved by fusing with a transposon! This is such a cool story, congratulations @migueldvalmeida.bsky.social et al! 🙌
First #bluetorial. 🎉🎉 We’re very happy to share our latest biorxiv #preprint, just in time before the holiday season. We explored how transposable elements (TEs) diversify eukaryotic proteomes and found a cool case in nematode F-box genes. #TEsky #evosky #Celegans
Short 🧵 with highlights.
Short 🧵 with highlights.
December 20, 2024 at 1:25 AM
A nematode gene family evolved by fusing with a transposon! This is such a cool story, congratulations @migueldvalmeida.bsky.social et al! 🙌
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Thank you for doing this it's going to be incredibly useful!
Hey #HiSciSky 👋.
I'm a post-doc researcher with a background in scientific device dev.
I have just released an open-source STEM-Education project for a $40, 3D-printed, DNA fluorometer with ng/uL levels of sensitivity. Follow for updates!
GitHub Repo: github.com/traulab/DIYN...
#DIYNAFLUOR #STEM
I'm a post-doc researcher with a background in scientific device dev.
I have just released an open-source STEM-Education project for a $40, 3D-printed, DNA fluorometer with ng/uL levels of sensitivity. Follow for updates!
GitHub Repo: github.com/traulab/DIYN...
#DIYNAFLUOR #STEM
December 9, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Thank you for doing this it's going to be incredibly useful!
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Fellow Genetics professors - rejoice! This is pedagogy heaven: the paradigmatic epiallele in calico cats … is built on a cis-regulatory deletion, not a coding mutation!
We can teach it all off 1 paper!
1. Woo
2. Hoooo!!!
H/t @lianafaye.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We can teach it all off 1 paper!
1. Woo
2. Hoooo!!!
H/t @lianafaye.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Molecular and genetic characterization of sex-linked orange coat color in the domestic cat
The Sex-linked orange mutation in domestic cats causes variegated patches of reddish/yellow hair and is a defining signature of random X-inactivation in female tortoiseshell and calico cats. Unlike th...
www.biorxiv.org
November 29, 2024 at 3:08 AM
Fellow Genetics professors - rejoice! This is pedagogy heaven: the paradigmatic epiallele in calico cats … is built on a cis-regulatory deletion, not a coding mutation!
We can teach it all off 1 paper!
1. Woo
2. Hoooo!!!
H/t @lianafaye.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We can teach it all off 1 paper!
1. Woo
2. Hoooo!!!
H/t @lianafaye.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
November 27, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Adult #Drosophila adipocytes by @isaiahwill.bsky.social for #FluorescenceFriday (cell membranes and nuclear lamina labeled (red) with alpha spectrin and Lamin C antibodies, respectively, from @dshb-antibodies.bsky.social; lipid droplets labeled with BODIPY (green))
November 22, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Adult #Drosophila adipocytes by @isaiahwill.bsky.social for #FluorescenceFriday (cell membranes and nuclear lamina labeled (red) with alpha spectrin and Lamin C antibodies, respectively, from @dshb-antibodies.bsky.social; lipid droplets labeled with BODIPY (green))
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
omg I love science
Also, think of how much fun the authors had in the field. I mean bats are great but I'm kind of jealous of someone watching wolves lick flowers
Also, think of how much fun the authors had in the field. I mean bats are great but I'm kind of jealous of someone watching wolves lick flowers
November 21, 2024 at 5:28 AM
omg I love science
Also, think of how much fun the authors had in the field. I mean bats are great but I'm kind of jealous of someone watching wolves lick flowers
Also, think of how much fun the authors had in the field. I mean bats are great but I'm kind of jealous of someone watching wolves lick flowers
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Professors: we must start teaching creativity in science! Interested in teaching the creative scientific process at your university? Here's our materials to help:
Workshops: www.night-science.org/teaching_mat...
Editorials: www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
Podcast: nightscience.buzzsprout.com
Workshops: www.night-science.org/teaching_mat...
Editorials: www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
Podcast: nightscience.buzzsprout.com
Inspired by nightscience podcast and @itaiyanai.bsky.social and Martin Lercher, I am putting together a course on Creativity in Science for PhDs and researchers. I'm looking for reading and ideas about it!
Any suggestion?
The Seeds of Science have a bunch of nice blogs and papers on it!
Any suggestion?
The Seeds of Science have a bunch of nice blogs and papers on it!
The SoS Library
A collection of essays on creativity and diversity of thought in science
www.theseedsofscience.pub
November 14, 2024 at 3:36 AM
Professors: we must start teaching creativity in science! Interested in teaching the creative scientific process at your university? Here's our materials to help:
Workshops: www.night-science.org/teaching_mat...
Editorials: www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
Podcast: nightscience.buzzsprout.com
Workshops: www.night-science.org/teaching_mat...
Editorials: www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
Podcast: nightscience.buzzsprout.com
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Apparently UMass are encouraging all international students to return to the US before 20 January.
November 13, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Apparently UMass are encouraging all international students to return to the US before 20 January.
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
Reminder: There is a venue for microPublications in Ecology and Evolution!
Don't bury results in a supplemental file. Publish them as a micropub!
#Evolution #PlantScience 🌍 🧪 #Conservation
Don't bury results in a supplemental file. Publish them as a micropub!
#Evolution #PlantScience 🌍 🧪 #Conservation
📣 Introducing 📣
microPublications in Ecology and Evolution!
Please help support this effort by spreading the word and submitting and reviewing papers!
#evolution 🌎 🌍 🌏 🧪 #PlantScience #conservation
microPublications in Ecology and Evolution!
Please help support this effort by spreading the word and submitting and reviewing papers!
#evolution 🌎 🌍 🌏 🧪 #PlantScience #conservation
November 13, 2024 at 2:30 AM
Reminder: There is a venue for microPublications in Ecology and Evolution!
Don't bury results in a supplemental file. Publish them as a micropub!
#Evolution #PlantScience 🌍 🧪 #Conservation
Don't bury results in a supplemental file. Publish them as a micropub!
#Evolution #PlantScience 🌍 🧪 #Conservation
Reposted by Nitin Ravikanthachari
For prospective grad students interested in bioinformatic tool development, microbial evolution, and most importantly a superb, kind, and committed mentor:
Look no further than @gmdouglas.bsky.social and his new lab launching this summer!
douglaslab.ca
Look no further than @gmdouglas.bsky.social and his new lab launching this summer!
douglaslab.ca
Douglas Lab
douglaslab.ca
November 12, 2024 at 10:17 PM
For prospective grad students interested in bioinformatic tool development, microbial evolution, and most importantly a superb, kind, and committed mentor:
Look no further than @gmdouglas.bsky.social and his new lab launching this summer!
douglaslab.ca
Look no further than @gmdouglas.bsky.social and his new lab launching this summer!
douglaslab.ca