This Week in Evolution

Sarah Tishkoff joins Nels and Vincent to explain work from her laboratory on the genetic basis of skin pigmentation in Africans. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Sarah Tishkoff Become a patron of TWiEVO Molecular Evolution and the Cell meeting Sarah AMA on Reddit Genetics of African skin pigmentation (Science) Image credit Science Picks Nels - In Defense of Plants (Shrew Loo) Vincent - Contribution of NIH funding to new drug approvals Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to [email protected]

Taking a cue from the recent frigid weather, Nels and Vincent explore how modifications of a neuronal cold-sensing channel regulate diminished cold sensitivity in hibernating mammals. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Become a patron of TWiEVO Why ground squirrels and hamsters don't mind the cold (Cell Rep) Image credit Letters read on TWiEVO 27 Science Picks Nels - Undergrad podcasters from Stonehill College Vincent - Viruses at Target Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to [email protected]

Vinny Lynch joins Nels and Vincent to discuss how a zombie gene in elephants protects these large, long lived animals from cancer. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Vinny Lynch Become a patron of TWiEVO Lynch Lab Elephant zombie LIF gene induces apoptosis (bioRxiv) Image credit Science Picks Nels - Animalism Vincent - Voyager I fires up thrusters after 37 years Vinny - Rollin' Wild Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to [email protected]

Nels and Vincent discuss a genomic analysis of the passenger pigeon, which shows that species with large and stable populations may be at risk of extinction after a sudden environmental change. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Become a patron of TWiEVO Passenger pigeon genomic diversity (Science) Image credit Letters read on TWiEVO 25 Science Picks Nels - Video of nematophagous fungi Vincent - How should novelty be valued in science? John - Evo-Devo (Despacito Biology Parody) Melanie - What's in John's Freezer Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to [email protected]