Congratulations to Hinrich Schulenburg of Kiel University, Max Planck Fellow at MPI EvolBio, on receiving an ERC Advanced Grant! CrypticBenefits explores how hidden genetic variation drives rapid adaptation. Read more: www.evolbio.mpg.de/3886905/hinr...

Women in Evolutionary Biology II brought around 80 participants together for three days of talks, posters, discussions and networking at MPI EvolBio. Thank you to everyone who helped create such an open and supportive space for scientific exchange. Looking forward to the next edition! 🔬

When does a tool become part of an individual? In a new Perspective article, @paulbrainey.bsky.social explores “autogenic transitions in individuality” — asking when internally generated entities might become part of new evolutionary individuals. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3885210/news... #Evolution #AI

Wall lizards are in the spotlight. 🦎 Recent features in The Guardian and National Geographic highlight research connected to Nathalie Feiner’s group on Mediterranean wall lizards. Biodiversity also lives within species. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3884924/wall...

Wall lizards in the spotlight

evolbio.mpg.de

Bureaucracy is necessary. Unnecessary bureaucracy is not. It wastes time, erodes morale, damages wellbeing and smothers the creativity on which science depends. We need responsible governance, not administrative burden. enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Scientists' Warning to Humanity: Unnecessary Bureaucracy Is a Global Impediment to Productivity, Advancement of Human and Planetary Wellbeing, Science and Sustainability

Unnecessary bureaucracy is a global impediment to progress and productivity that increases stress and lowers workplace morale and motivation. In research it smothers creativity and innovation that ar...

enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

New in Science Advances: A bacteriophage stayed genetically stable for months, then evolved rapidly in a new microbial community. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3884217/viru... @jeroenmeijer.bsky.social @paulbrainey.bsky.social @uni-jena.de @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social @bedutilh.bsky.social

Congratulations to Prof. Eva Stukenbrock on her appointment to the Leopoldina. Her research on fungal pathogens helps us better understand evolution and protect crops. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3882989/eva-... #EvolutionaryBiology #Leopoldina

Women in Evolutionary Biology II takes place 1–3 June 2026 — and we’re delighted to spotlight this year’s keynote speakers: 🌟 Tiana Kohlsdorf, Laasya Samhita, Laura Nuño de la Rosa, Marjon de Vos, Kateryna Makova & Catalina Chaparro Pedraza lnkd.in/erb6wQbW #WomenInEvoBio #EvolutionaryBiology

Deadline approaches: Applications for our workshop “Tracing evolution through cell lineages” are open until 29 May. 12–14 Oct 2026 | MPI EvolBio, Plön For researchers working on cell lineages & evolution. Apply: lnkd.in/eZnJuYcr

Can noisy decision-making be an advantage? A PNAS study shows that erratic behaviour is not always just a cognitive limitation. In strategic situations, caring less about immediate gains can provide long-term benefits. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3882136/news... #EvolutionaryBiology #GameTheory

Congratulations to Markéta Kaucká on being re-elected as representative of our institute in the BMS of the Max Planck Society. She helps bring perspectives from researchers and our institute into discussions on scientific and structural developments across the MPG. #MaxPlanck #Science #Research

New insights from sharks into the evolution of the face in jawed vertebrates. Conserved genetic programs but altered cell behavior contribute to the diversity of facial shapes in jawed vertebrates. #Development #Evolution #GRNs #FacialShapes #Sharks #NeuralCrest www.evolbio.mpg.de/3881031/news...

Facial diversity in birds and mammals doesn’t just come from different signals – but from how cells respond to them. A new study in Science Advances shows evolution acts on both: signal placement and cellular interpretation. More Info: www.evolbio.mpg.de/3879733/news... @marketa-kau.bsky.social

How do cell lineages evolve, and how does that shape trait evolution? Join our symposium Tracing Evolution Through Cell Lineages (Plön, 12–14 October). Hear perspectives from leading scientists and contribute with your own. Read more at: workshops.evolbio.mpg.de/event/145/ #EvoDevo #StemCell

How does food affect the gut microbiome? A new study shows that microorganisms in food may help maintain diversity in the gut. #Microbiome #MathematicalBiology www.evolbio.mpg.de/3875249/news... @florencebansept.bsky.social

Can multicellularity evolve without direct benefits? A new theoretical study suggests it can — through ecology. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3874781/news... #Evolution #Ecology

#Lunar #Clocks - “The dating tool of #marine organisms” #GEO highlights Tobias Kaiser’s research at #MPIEvolBio, where 11 #Clunio marinus strains help reveal how lunar #rhythms are encoded in #genes. #MaxPlanck #Chronobiology #SciComm #EvoBio #Ecology #Biodiversity www.evolbio.mpg.de/3873148/news...

Today at MPI for Evolutionary Biology: Frank Hilker from Osnabrück University joined our Career & Science Seminar, invited by Michael Sieber from the Department of Theoretical Biology. Topic: tipping points and cascades in coupled human-natural systems. #CareerInScience #ECR

Do bold animals always live fast and die young? Not necessarily. A new study shows that in house mice, the link between personality and lifespan depends strongly on the environment — especially food quality. Read more: www.evolbio.mpg.de/3869863/news... @fragdarm.bsky.social

How do immunity, infection dynamics and NPI adherence interact? An international team outlines the research needs: stepwise models + longitudinal data on perceived vs actual immunity, peer effects and information (incl. social media). www.evolbio.mpg.de/3868225/news...

Embryos are most alike in mid-development — the classic developmental “hourglass”. New research shows this pattern is already built into individual cell lineages. Find out more: www.evolbio.mpg.de/3867602/news... @marketa-kau.bsky.social @amordamatac.bsky.social

Today we have Yuriy Pichugin visiting us from the @mpi-evolbio.bsky.social discussing the Evolution of informed dispersal strategies in trophic meta-communities in our #WueBiT seminars

Warum sind Kinder keine halben Kopien ihrer Eltern? Wie beeinflusst die DNA unsere Fruchtbarkeit? Rajalekshmi Narayana Sarma beantwortet diese und weitere spannende Fragen übermorgen bei der Women Science Show. 📅05.03.2026 🕖19:00 Uhr 📍STUDIO Filmtheater Kiel @uni-kiel.de @mpi-evolbio.bsky.social

Our very own Rajalekshmi N. Sarma is on the line-up! 🎤 Women Science Show (Science Comes to Town) — Thu, 5 March 2026, 7.00 pm, STUDIO Filmtheater, Kiel. Six 10-minute talks from early-career women researchers. Free entry — bring friends & family 😊

🌓🌊🦟 Wed 4 March 2026, 19:00 (Eutin): Eutiner Landesbibliothek, Schlossplatz 4. Dr Tobias Kaiser (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology #KaiserLab) — “The Moon, the Sea & the Mosquito”: a journey through biological clocks. Hosted by SHUG. #chronobiology

Beyond Mendel: a new genetics agenda Most traits aren’t “one gene–one trait”. A Genetics perspective calls for new experimental paradigms to capture polygenic effects in real environmental context—backed by large-scale automated phenotyping and new infrastructure. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3866699/news...

Emil Mallmin and colleagues at MPI EvolBio show that simple ecological models can reproduce real-world species abundance patterns—and help identify when ecosystems are fragile vs. resilient. Read and find out more here: www.evolbio.mpg.de/3865637/news...

Today is Darwin’s Day 🧬 — a reminder that evolution isn’t just history but a living process. At the MPI for Evolutionary Biology we explore evolutionary change — how life adapts, diversifies, and evolves — using theory, experiments, and data from nature. #DarwinsDay #Evolution #EvolBio

Today is the #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience ✨ To celebrate, we’re opening registration for our workshop "Women in Evolutionary Biology II" — keynotes, research, networking, and discussions on equality & inclusion in science. 📍 Plön (Germany) | 🔗 workshops.evolbio.mpg.de/event/144/ov...

No lone winners: P. fluorescens SBW25 forms air–liquid mats within days. Ancestors scaffold the surface; mutants spread. c-di-GMP (sessile↔motile) helps diverse types coexist. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3864353/news...