"Pick a small field, one you are excited about. It can be challenging, but you get to discover new things all the time & make important contributions to broader scientific knowledge. For me, it has made my work fulfilling & a lot of fun." Lovely Q&A with @gelatinoussting.bsky.social 🪼🪸 #cnidaria 🦑

Stowers Institute@stowersinstitute.bsky.social · 2d ago

🪼Jellyfish and anemones sting using some of the most complex cell-based venom systems in the animal kingdom. @mgstowers.bsky.social Lab postdoc @gelatinoussting.bsky.social is decoding how these stinging cells form, work rooted in 500+ million years of #evolution. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3SsB74n

🪼Jellyfish and anemones sting using some of the most complex cell-based venom systems in the animal kingdom. @mgstowers.bsky.social Lab postdoc @gelatinoussting.bsky.social is decoding how these stinging cells form, work rooted in 500+ million years of #evolution. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3SsB74n

I went to a paint your own pottery place and now have the best cup ever. A Sip-ridinid cup as @stoilovamarina.bsky.social expertly suggested.

Please share with any recent college grads you know who are interested in using genetic tools in non-model organisms (🪼), sensory/neurobiology, or confocal microscopy. In addition to research mentorship, the students will have access to excellent professional development resources through OASiS 🦑🧪🧬

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · last mo.

We would love to host a post-bacc in our lab to work on mechanisms of neural signaling in a cnidarian model system.

Really excited to see this very cool story published!

Todd Oakley@ostratodd.bsky.social · 4w ago

Happy to share that this paper led by @caberger.bsky.social with @stoilovamarina.bsky.social @rebeccavarney.bsky.social @pcart.bsky.social Sam Abrams and Maria Pia is published -- Unexpectedly predictable molecular evolution with diverse ecologies 🧪 🧬 🌊 #Molevol #EvoBio www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Happy to share that this paper led by @caberger.bsky.social with @stoilovamarina.bsky.social @rebeccavarney.bsky.social @pcart.bsky.social Sam Abrams and Maria Pia is published -- Unexpectedly predictable molecular evolution with diverse ecologies 🧪 🧬 🌊 #Molevol #EvoBio www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Todd Oakley@ostratodd.bsky.social · 4mo ago

We started by studying gene reuse in eyes over deep time -- but were astonished to find adaptive molecular convergence to be rampant and not directly related to important traits, including eyes. Led by PD Cory Berger www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Our NIH funded PREP postbaccalaurate program just got renewed! PREP is fully funded postbac program for recent graduates interested in pursuing a PhD in biomedical research. Applications are open for a start date of this Fall. prep.ku.edu/apply

Apply

prep.ku.edu

We have it on good authority that KU PREP prep.ku.edu/apply will soon be open for business! In anticipation we are taking applications for an August/September start date. PREP is a post-bacc program for graduates who intend to apply for a PhD in the biomedical sciences. See website for eligibility.

Apply

prep.ku.edu

Please share with any recent college grads you know who are interested in using genetic tools in non-model organisms (🪼), sensory/neurobiology, or confocal microscopy. In addition to research mentorship, the students will have access to excellent professional development resources through OASiS 🦑🧪🧬

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · last mo.

We would love to host a post-bacc in our lab to work on mechanisms of neural signaling in a cnidarian model system.

Happy to share that our manuscript "A chromosome-level reference genome for the colonial marine hydrozoan Podocoryna americana" is now available at G3: doi.org/10.1093/g3jo... Many thanks to @baxevanislab.bsky.social, @pcart.bsky.social, @amkatzer.bsky.social and all the co-authors!

A chromosome-level reference genome for the colonial marine hydrozoan Podocoryna americana

Abstract. Cnidarians are important models for studying the evolution of animal development, regeneration, cell type differentiation, and allorecognition. T

doi.org

First postdoc paper and first Nematostella project! By using the dynamic expression pattern of minicollagens, we describe the transcriptional profile during biogenesis for two major stinging cell types: nematocytes and spirocytes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... #StunningStella

Minicollagen expression dynamics reveal a transcriptional program for cnidogenesis in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Cnidae are explosive harpoon-like organelles localized within stinging cells, or cnidocytes, of the phylum Cnidaria (jellyfish, hydroids, sea anemones, and corals). These unique Golgi-derived vesicula...

biorxiv.org

Hi Cnidarian Enthusiasts! Friendly reminder that Cnidofest 2026 will take place at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, September 23-27. The abstract submission deadline is July 1 and the registration deadline is September 2. Submit and find full details at www.cnidofest.org

🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 This is a Shrimp ALERT 🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 Anyone who buys a shirt in the final day of our pre-sale gets entered to win a shrimp plate, handmade by the shrimp artist The 666 Cat! These shirts fund science education in Philly & are cool as hell. It's last call for shrimp! Get one at SquidFacts.net

I cannot believe our research on anglerfishes and their infamous lures is featured in National Geographic! I get so excited when I see these weirdos, and I light up when I can share their weirdness with anyone. 🌊🦑🧪🦇 Check it out here: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...

Inside the extremely bizarre sex lives of anglerfish

The fish, who live in pitch-black darkness, likely use their bioluminescent lures to find mates. Males then attach themselves to the females—and never let go.

nationalgeographic.com

It is publication day for The Organism-Environment Pairing (@mitpress.bsky.social)! This 📗 has been deeply formative for me as a scholar, and it owes so much to so many wonderful people. I truly hope it finds many readers! mitpress.mit.edu/978026205282... #booksky #philsci #histsci #philsky #evosky

We started by studying gene reuse in eyes over deep time -- but were astonished to find adaptive molecular convergence to be rampant and not directly related to important traits, including eyes. Led by PD Cory Berger www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

🚨New PrePrint🚨 I am excited to share this comparative analysis of transposable elements in medusozoa genomes led by graduate student Ayanna Mays 🧬🧪 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone Metridium senile https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.13.718255v1

These images show live embryos of animals (jellyfish, crustacean, worm, sea urchin, sea squirt, beetle) and one of animals closest single-celled relatives. They were captured taking advantage of fluorescent proteins localised on the outer membrane of cells, allowing us to observe cell outlines. 1/9

I am excited to share these results that are now published. Lab researcher Kelso Cochran solved a big problem in the field and optimized a protocol to increase Hydra egg yield in the lab. www.frontiersin.org/journals/eco...

First test of using a smartwatch as combo Wave and Tidal inundation buoy is a success!

My buoy design principle: what can I do with $20, a quick trip to the hardware store, limited technical knowledge and a smartwatch?

Kim Martini 🏳️‍🌈@rejectedbanana.bsky.social · 6mo ago

First test of using a smartwatch as combo Wave and Tidal inundation buoy is a success!

New preprint from Ruohan Zhong on the architecture of the Nematostella nervous system, check it out! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Spread the word!! This is a fantastic program for college graduates interested in finding research opportunities in #ecology, #evolution, #biology, #genomics, #naturalhistory museum collections, #conservation, and many other topics. See the page for actively recruiting labs! 🦑🧪🧬🖥️⚛️

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The deadline is near for our NSF RaMP post-bacc program BioGEM. If you know of any graduating seniors interested in doing research in EEB for a year, please encourage them to apply biogem.ku.edu/apply-biogem

How do #sponges coordinate their bodies despite lacking neurons and true muscles? We show that sponges use monoamines to control water flow in their canals — reminiscent of how adrenaline regulates blood vessels. My PhD story, now on BioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... #Evolution

Spread the word!! This is a fantastic program for college graduates interested in finding research opportunities in #ecology, #evolution, #biology, #genomics, #naturalhistory museum collections, #conservation, and many other topics. See the page for actively recruiting labs! 🦑🧪🧬🖥️⚛️

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The deadline is near for our NSF RaMP post-bacc program BioGEM. If you know of any graduating seniors interested in doing research in EEB for a year, please encourage them to apply biogem.ku.edu/apply-biogem

Warm weather is reminding me that freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii) bloom season may be starting soon in the Midwest…. #ToxinTuesday #Hype4Hydrozoa #MidwestJellyfish

New paper in Royal Society Interface! With fantastic engineering colleagues, we’re learning more and more about how snapping shrimp are protected from shock waves! royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...

Structural and mechanical properties facilitate shock wave damping by helmet-like orbital hoods in snapping shrimp

Abstract:. Snapping shrimp damp the shock waves they produce and use as weapons with a helmet-like structure termed the orbital hood. Here, we ask how stru

royalsocietypublishing.org

Found an additional graphic that gets even more of these quotes together. I've kept "I hate myself, I hate clover, and I hate bees" pinned above my desk since I first started studying evolutionary biology as an undergraduate. So relatable to get extremely frustrated with your study system.

SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️‍⚧️@skwinnicki.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Happy birthday, Chuck. Proud to carry on your legacy of studying evolutionary biology while going through it

Happy birthday, Chuck. Proud to carry on your legacy of studying evolutionary biology while going through it