TWiEVO 120: Sparkle pony

TWiEVO 120: Sparkle pony

January 8, 2026 · 1h 46m · Episode 120

About this episode

Nels and Vincent discuss research on how a retrovirus insertion affects color traits in swordtail fish.

Nels and Vincent explain research which shows that insertion of a retrovirus into the genome regulates a novel color trait in swordtail fish. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Retrovirus and swordfish scale color (bioRxiv) Timestamps by Jolene Science Picks Nels – Some like it hot! A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes and Kara Marshall's talk on history of science/science funding in the US, family connections to medical care, and her own lab's work at Baylor College of Medicine Vincent – NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv

People in this episode

Hosts: Nels Elde, Vincent Racaniello

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NIH, Baylor College of Medicine, MicrobeTV

Books & works: Some like it hot!, TWiEVO, Retrovirus and swordfish scale color

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