I am enjoying #SocialViruses2026 in Vancouver, organized by @asherleeks.bsky.social and @sociovirology.bsky.social. Also, we finally got our #GeneticConflict in #Herpesviruses review published in #VirusEvolution, first conceived at the 2024 #SocialViruses meeting in Puerto Rico!

Antagonistic Co-Evolution Throughout the Herpesvirus Life Cycle

Abstract. Herpesviruses are a widespread and diverse family of large double stranded DNA viruses. Narrow host ranges maintained over long evolutionary time

academic.oup.com

The Social Lives of Viruses is coming to Vancouver, Canada, from 4th-8th August 2026! This is a free meeting dedicated to all aspects of virus-virus interactions & evolution. To apply: socialviruses.zoology.ubc.ca @sociovirology.bsky.social #socialviruses #evosky #lovevirology #virosky

New paper alert 🚨 Check out our latest article about #social interactions in #herpesvirus populations via #glycoprotein variants, now in @Virus_Evolution. Thanks to everyone involved, also to the very supportive reviewers who definitely improved the manuscript! academic.oup.com/ve/article/1...

Rapid glycoprotein evolution enables variant interactions in herpes simplex virus type 1

Abstract. Glycoproteins cover the surface of enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Whilst essential for cellular attachment and entry,

academic.oup.com

Open postdoc position in in my lab in Berlin @mpiib-berlin.mpg.de. Join us to push the frontier in ancient microbial genomics. Please apply until Oct 17th. Reach out in case you have any questions. www.mpiib-berlin.mpg.de/2193291/job_...

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) | Evolutionary Genetics

We are offering a Postdoctoral position in Evolutionary Genetics (m/f/d)

mpiib-berlin.mpg.de

Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology@mpiib-berlin.mpg.de · last yr.

#Job opportunity The Key Lab @keyfm.bsky.social is looking for a #postdoc in evolutionary genetics - join a young team in the heart of #Berlin to investigate the evolution of ancient microbial pathogens. ⏰ Deadline: October 17 📌 More info and how to apply: www.mpiib-berlin.mpg.de/2193291/job_...

Gonna present some exciting work on mutation rates, population bottlenecks and defective genomes. Come and see me later today for my flash talk and poster presentation at #IHW25 in #Berlin.

I‘ll present my poster on „Rapid glycoprotein evolution enables variant interactions in Herpes Simplex Virus type 1“ on Thursday 17th of July at #ASV2025 in #Montreal. If you are looking for me though, due to severe weather I‘ll only arrive tomorrow 😬. See you guys tomorrow!

OUT in @PLOS #Pathogens! 🦠🦟 We evolved a parasite to transmit early/late from its #Anopheles host—spending less/more time inside. We ask what this means for #transmission, social #behaviour, classical #virulence theory, and (mis)used composite virulence metrics. #MicroSky 1/3 doi.org/10.1371/jour...

Complex interactions in the life cycle of a simple parasite shape the evolution of virulence

Author summary Classical expectations on parasite evolution assume a trade-off between transmission rate and harm to the host (virulence), favoring parasites with intermediate virulence. However, rece...

doi.org

I made a starter pack for researchers who study various aspects of viral sociality. It's woefully incomplete and has lots of room to grow, so do message me if I've missed you! go.bsky.app/3PfgjkP #SocialViruses 🦠 🧪

In response to the emergence of H5N1 influenza A viruses as a novel pathogen of cattle, a study in Nature Communications shows that pasteurisation of cows’ milk should effectively inactivate the virus, but that it remains infectious in unpasteurised milk. https://go.nature.com/3WRQ8fb 🧪