This Week in Evolution

Nels and Vincent explain a study showing unique site-specific and shared habitat-level adaptation in a classic system of repeated evolution, stickleback fish.
Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello
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Shared and site-specific adaptation in stickleback fish (PNAS)
Timestamps by Jolene
Science Picks
Nels – Wynton Marsalis on Playing When Nobody Is Listening
Vincent – With US measles deaths on the rise, local officials are stepping in where RFK Jr won't
Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles

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Nels and Vincent discuss the finding that balanced polymorphism in a floral transcription factor underlies the ancient rhythm of daily sex alternation in avocado.
Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello
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A transcription protein underlies daily sex alteration in avocado (PNAS)
Timestamps by Jolene
Science Picks
Nels – Hypothesis fund and Pretty Viruses Project on iNaturalist
Vincent – Hot Tuna – Water Song | Live at 4 6th Street Rock Palace (1973)
Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles

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Nels and Vincent discuss a chemically defined synthetic cell capable of growth and replication.
Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello
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Chemically defined synthetic cell (bioRxiv)
Timestamps by Jolene
Science Picks
Nels – Jimothy the short spined racoon in Seattle
Vincent – Nitrogen-fixing organelle in a marine alga
Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles

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Nels and Vincent discuss molecular mimicry of a pathogen virulence target by a plant immune receptor.
Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello
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Molecular mimicry of a pathogen virulence target by a plant immune receptor (Science)
Timestamps by Jolene
Science Picks
Nels – Plug-in solar
Vincent – This Engine Will Reinvent Space Travel
Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles

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TWiEVO 126: Beyond Inheritance with Roxanne Khamsi
June 1, 2026 Science journalist Roxanne Khamsi joins Nels and Vincent discuss her first book, Beyond Inheritance, which explores how DNA continuously mutates throughout our lives, challenging the idea that our genetic destiny is fixed at birth.
Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello
Guest: Roxanne Khamsi
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Beyond Inheritance (Amazon)
Timestamps by Jolene
Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles

Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv