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Robert J. Gifford

@robjgifford.bsky.social

I carry out research into the evolution of viruses and their impact on host species. Open science.

62 Posts324 Follower554 Folgt
Robert J. Gifford@robjgifford.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Recovery of viral RNA from centuries old human tissue is genuinely exciting. This changes the horizons for recovery of ancient virus genomes.

Daniel Blanco-Melo@dbm003.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Excited to share our work on #AncientRNA from alcohol-preserved lungs, recovering the oldest human RNA virus genome (an 18th-century rhinovirus). Our study shows that viral RNA remnants persist in centuries-old tissue, opening new ways to study virus evolution and historical disease #Paleovirology🫁🦠

Robert J. Gifford@robjgifford.bsky.social · 8mo ago

This article by Linda Geddes reproduces every structural flaw I described in my recent Substack essay. Every narrative device, every logical inconsistency, and every evidentiary shortcut that sustains the ‘bat specialness’ story. www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...

The bat paradox: what nature’s night flyers could teach us about pandemics – and ourselves

Bats carry many deadly viruses, yet rarely fall ill themselves. Rather than fearing them, scientists say we should study and protect them, to safeguard our own health.

gavi.org

Robert J. Gifford@robjgifford.bsky.social · 2y ago

I've been comparing annual publication trends across different viruses The vast difference in the number of publications for SARS-CoV-2 compared to other viruses like Ebola, Dengue, and Influenza A is striking.

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Robert J. Gifford@robjgifford.bsky.social · 2y ago

Personally, I have a lot of sympathy for Jens Kuhn. He's dealing with a fundamental and increasingly pressing issue in virology, one that might otherwise be neglected without the intense dedication of someone so earnestly committed to the cause.

Kristian G. Andersen@kgandersen.bsky.social · 2y ago

“Somebody needs to take away whatever drugs the committee is on,” wrote Kristian Andersen" "Kuhn, the autocrat, mainly rolled his eyes. He hated some of the names, too. “Salt in my wounds,” he called syllabic stews like Lentivirus humimdef1"* #Virology 😆 www.statnews.com/2025/01/09/v...