This Week in Evolution

TWiEVO 126: Beyond Inheritance with Roxanne Khamsi 01.06.2026 1時間 27分

TWiEVO 126: Beyond Inheritance with Roxanne Khamsi June 1, 2026 Science journalist Roxanne Khamsi joins Nels and Vincent discuss her first book, Beyond Inheritance, which explores how DNA continuously mutates throughout our lives, challenging the idea that our genetic destiny is fixed at birth. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Roxanne Khamsi Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Beyond Inheritance (Amazon) Timestamps by Jolene Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 125: Evolution's egg timer 26.04.2026 52分

Nels and Vincent discuss the development of a comprehensive transcriptomic atlas of early embryogenesis from 61 animal species to understand the control of gene expression transitions from maternally deposited products to newly transcribed zygotic RNA. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Evolutionary landscapes of zygotic genome activation across animals (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Biologists Confirm Not Much Evolution Happened Today Vincent – How Trains Take Electricity from Wires Without Breaking Contact Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 124: The little ribozyme that could 19.03.2026 1時間 18分

Nels and Vincent discuss the discovery of a short RNA with the ability to catalyze its own synthesis. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server A small polymerase ribozyme (Science) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – The University of Illinois Just Released a Popcorn So Good It Doesn't Need Butter Vincent – Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife of Your Trash by Alexander Clapp Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 123: Stinkbug eggs with a schmear of fungus 19.03.2026 1時間 21分

Nels and Vincent explain how stinkbug females smear fungus on their eggs to protect them from wasp parasitism. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Defensive fungal symbiosis on insect hindlegs (Science) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Meet the Olympic superstar who trains under the radar in Utah Vincent – The Discovery That Changed the Universe Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 122: The evolution of selfishness 02.02.2026 1時間 15分

Nels and Vincent explain how selfishness evolved multiple times from an essential tRNA synthetase gene in a nematode. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Evolution of selfishness from a tRNA synthetase gene (Nat Ecol Evol) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels - From Where Does it STEM? Vincent - An Act of Cosmic Sabotage Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 121: AI imagines viruses 08.01.2026 1時間 42分

Nels and Vincent examines the use of AI and genome language models to design novel derivatives of bacteriophage phiX174. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server AI design of bacteriophage phiX174 derivatives (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – NIH official resigns after flap over risks of seasonal flu virus study and The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from all interested parties on Federal policy updates that aim to accelerate the American scientific enterprise, enable groundbreaking discoveries, and ensure that scientific progress and technological innovation benefit all Americans. Vincent – One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the evolution of complex life by John Archibald Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 120: Sparkle pony 08.01.2026 1時間 46分

Nels and Vincent explain research which shows that insertion of a retrovirus into the genome regulates a novel color trait in swordtail fish. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Retrovirus and swordfish scale color (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Some like it hot! A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes and Kara Marshall's talk on history of science/science funding in the US, family connections to medical care, and her own lab's work at Baylor College of Medicine Vincent – NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 119: Drive fast, take chances, and encode a Y chromosome 04.11.2025 1時間 21分

Nels and Vincent explain research attempting to explain why among humans, females around the world live on average 5 years longer than males, but the trend is reversed in many birds, amphibians, and insects. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Sexual selection drives sex difference in adult life expectancy (Sci Adv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks 1:37:00 Nels – NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers Vincent – Kennedy's Comments on Circumcision Are Only Going to Confuse and Shame Parents Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 118: Mother of an unrelated brother 14.10.2025 1時間 49分

Nels and Vincent discuss research which shows a shift from the rule that living organisms produce same-species offspring: an ant that produces individuals from two distinct species. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server David Baltimore interview (TWiV 100) One mother for two species (Nature) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Dr. Bill Rom, NYU canoes every lake connected by a portage trail in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota Vincent – Google just made photography obsolete Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 117: Genes that don't leave 20.08.2025 1時間 38分

Nels and Vincent discuss research on hidden evolutionary constraints that dictate the retention of coronavirus accessory gene, which was flagged by NIH as potentially dangerous gain-of-function research. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hidden evolutionary constraints and retention of coronavirus accessory genes (Curr Biol) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – NIH suspends dozens of pathogen studies over 'gain-of-function' concerns and Mentorship and acts of kindness Vincent – Kennedy's case against mRNA vaccines collapses under his own evidence Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 116: An ant and two fungi walk into a bar and meet a naked mole rat 23.07.2025 57分

Nels and Vincent review research on how neuropeptides influence the behavior of leafcutter ants, and regulate the different caste behaviors such as defenders, leaf foragers, brood care, and fungus farming. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Neuropeptides and behavior of leaf cutter ants (Cell) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – My academic job offer was rescinded. I'll keep going—but U.S. researchers are running out of road Vincent – There's a new acid in our rain — should we be worried? Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 115: Even the archaea are going viral 18.06.2025 1時間 28分

Nels and Vincent discuss an ultra reduced archaeal genome, the closest cellular entity to date that approaches a viral strategy of existence. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Ultra-reduced archaeal genome (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – The Bethesda Declaration Vincent – US to Drop Guidance to Limit Alcohol to One or Two Drinks Per Day, Sources Say Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 114: The best experiments ever done 21.05.2025 1時間 31分

Nels and Vincent review the properties of Mendel's pea genes through the lens of modern genetic analysis. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Insights into Mendel's pea genes (Nature) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Evolution related game Vincent – Should Unvaccinated Patients Get Organ Transplants? Ethicist Weighs In Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 113: A wolf in wolf's clothing 23.04.2025 1時間 27分

Nels and Vincent explain the ancestry and evolution of the extinct dire wolf. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Evolution and ancestry of dire wolf (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Navigating to the forefront of innovation: A celebration of immigrant scientists Vincent – Exclusive: a Nature analysis signals the beginnings of a US science brain drain Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 112: Sex-Z cephalopods 26.03.2025 1時間 27分

Nels and Vincent explain the ancient evolutionary origin of sex in cephalopods. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Evolution of sex in cephalopods (Current Biol) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Speaking into a microphone? Your audio quality can impact the way people view you Vincent – Remedy Supported by Kennedy Leaves Some Measles Patients More Ill Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 111: Copy that, genome 26.02.2025 1時間 26分

Nels and Vincent explain how template switching during DNA replication is a widespread source of adaptive gene amplification. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Template switching and gene amplification (eLife) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Jeremy Berg on Bluesky – jeremymberg.bsky.social Vincent – Dickson Despommier, 84 Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 110: Ants go from carpenters to surgeons 22.01.2025 1時間 23分

Nels and Vincent reveal that worker ants amputate their colleagues injured leg to prevent infections. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Wound-dependent leg amputation in ants (Curr Biol) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – The Science Bridge Vincent – US withdraws from WHO Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 109: On the origins of orange 31.12.2024 1時間 16分

Nels and Vincent discuss the molecular and genetic origins of sex-linked orange coat color in cats. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Orange coat color in cats (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – AI takes up science podcasting Vincent – Humans evolved for distance running – but ancestor 'Lucy' didn't go far or fast Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 108: A virus in every parasite 20.11.2024 1時間 18分

Nels and Vincent review the identification of a novel virus associated with the pathogen Plasmodium knowlsei and which is part part of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Virus associated with P. knowlsei (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – The peace of wild things, poem by Wendell Berry Vincent – All Life on Earth Today Descended From a Single Cell. Meet LUCA Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

TWiEVO 107: One small step for cells, one giant step for cell kind 30.10.2024 1時間 32分

Nels and Vincent discuss the origins of eukaryotes, with contributions from at least 3 bacteria (alphaproteobacteria) and a large contribution from DNA viruses with large genomes. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Complex symbiotic interactions during eukaryogenesis (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Pathoplexus.org Vincent – Can science cure its addiction to plastic? Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv