Sign in

Robertson Lab

@davidlrobertson.bsky.social
727 followers 371 following 8 posts

Viruses, evolution, computational biology & other stuff, David L Robertson @robertson_lab (in the other place) based at @cvrinfo.bsky.social, the University of Glasgow.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Antonia Ho @drtoniho.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
DC13: Create next-generation AI systems for respiratory disease surveillance using genomic, healthcare and clinical data. Supervisors: @drtoniho.bsky.social, David Lowe, Clarisse de Vries, @davidlrobertson.bsky.social International secondment: @vhir.bsky.social, Barcelona 🇪🇸 (3 months) 3/4
102
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Antonia Ho @drtoniho.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
2 CVR projects: DC12: Decode viral diversity in wastewater and test AI tools to identify emerging threats. Supervisors: Ana Filipe, @kathysmollett.bsky.social, Joseph Hughes International secondment: Tampere University, 🇫🇮 (4 months) 2/4
101
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Antonia Ho @drtoniho.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Interested in using genomics, big data & AI to tackle future pandemic threats? 🧬 📊 💻 @cvrinfo.bsky.social is recruiting 2 #PhD students through the DETECTIVE Doctoral Network🦠🕵️‍♂️: Info on projects, entry requirements & application link available in 🇫🇮🇳🇱🇩🇰🇪🇸🇬🇧: virusdetective.eu 1/4
virusdetective.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (G.A. number 101312731)
142
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Nick Loman @pathogenomenick.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
AI acting more like a real academic than we’d like here
1234
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Stuart Neil @tetherin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Fantastic article about the life and work of Bob Garry that highlights both the personal and scientific costs that the conspiracy theory industry has had on Global public health and the scientists who have dedicated their lives to fighting infectious diseases www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
A Top Virus Scientist Stared Down Covid Lab-Leak Proponents. Now His Life’s Work Is at Stake
The battle over Covid’s origins has come for Bob Garry, who’s faced some of the world’s deadliest viral threats.
26432
Robertson Lab @davidlrobertson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
On Benefit and Risk of AI-Enabled Biology amardashehu.substack.com/p/on-benefit...
020
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Philipp Markolin @philippmarkolin.eurosky.social · 18/08/2026
In 2026, there is no longer any lab leak hypothesis you can state consistently with the available evidence. Despite this, it has been the dominant media narrative for six years. Read my new data-driven investigation: www.protagonist-science.com/p/biased-med...
protagonist-science.com
Biased media coverage and the lab leak theory
Gain-of-function fearmongering and blame gets the glitzy NYT visual treatment as Republicans weaponize the lab leak theory again in attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci
12342142
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Antigen Evolution & Design Lab @antigenevo.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Delighted to be involved in this recent preprint led by our friends at @cvrinfo.bsky.social @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social @davidlrobertson.bsky.social Protein language models learn underlying mutation biases alongside fitness landscapes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
Protein language models learn underlying mutation biases alongside fitness landscapes
Protein language models (PLMs) score the effects of amino acid replacements as pseudo-probabilities, which are widely utilised to map protein fitness landscapes. However, because their training data r...
041
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
DRC's #Ebola case count continues to climb. As of 07/22, there have been 2,905 confirmed cases, 1,269 of them fatal. At this pace it may not be long before this outbreak surpasses the 2018-2020 North Kivu outbreak, the 2nd largest on record (3470 cases, 2287 of them fatal). insp.cd/sitrep-n069-...
15224
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Matthew Cobb @matthewcobb.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
This is us. All of us. Sitting comfortably while the planet burns.
1259
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Spyros Lytras @spyroslytras.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Come work on exciting AI for biology projects in Paris!! 🇫🇷 Details and application below, deadline sept 1st!
02727
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Ed Hutchinson @socialinfluenza.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
🚨New Pre-Print!🚨 Want to search for variation in influenza A virus sequences, but find the amount of data overwhelming? Wondering if new avian flu strains have signs of mammalian adaptation? The #Flu-MutationExplorer, a new online tool, can help (1/n) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
An image in the style of an Andy Warhol screen print showing influenza virions in a variety of colours. (Image credit Ed Hutchinson and Naina Nair, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research)
23115
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Important post on the ongoing Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC/Uganda. The clock appears to be fairly well-calibrated by now, even if a little slower than what we might have expected. Timing ~early-mid March and a bit of uncertainty re. 1 or possibly 2 intros. virological.org/t/genomic-ep...
virological.org
Genomic epidemiology of the ongoing 2026 Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genomic epidemiology of the ongoing 2026 Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), Kinshasa – DRC and partners Conte...
25327
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Antigen Evolution & Design Lab @antigenevo.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Inaugural post! We are a brand new lab @pasteur.fr studying how pathogen antigens evolve and how we can exploit these proteins' evolution to make better vaccines! Read a few words from the currently sole member of the lab @spyroslytras.bsky.social below! 😁 www.pasteur.fr/en/research-...
pasteur.fr
Predicting viral evolution with AI
Spyros Lytras is one of four young scientists selected in 2025 to lead new research groups at the Institut Pasteur. He has headed the “Antigen Evolution & Design laboratory” 5-year Group (G5) since Ju...
15117
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
UK research at risk of ‘irreversible’ harm, says British Academy head. Susan Smith urges next prime minister to commission review of higher education and research. Free to read. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
researchprofessionalnews.com
UK research at risk of ‘irreversible’ harm, says British Academy head - Research Professional News
Susan Smith urges next prime minister to commission review of higher education and research
01110
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
This #Ebola outbreak has quickly become alarmingly large & will be very hard to contain. But only the 3rd outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, it presents a rare opportunity to study this virus, @kakape.bsky.social reports. www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Big Ebola outbreak puts spotlight on little-known virus
The Bundibugyo virus only emerged twice before. Now, scientists see a chance to get to know it better
06229
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Mahan Ghafari @mghafari.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
We’ve posted a preliminary molecular evolutionary analysis of the current Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in DRC and Uganda, using 10 available BDBV genomes to reconstruct outbreak mutations and explore rate-conditioned tMRCA/growth estimates. virological.org/t/molecular-...
virological.org
Molecular evolutionary analysis of the current Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in DRC and Uganda
Authors: Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg and Mahan Ghafari Note on data use This is an informal analysis and is not intended as a formal preprint or manuscript in its current form. The aim of this post is to p...
054
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Welcome address by @cvrinfo.bsky.social Director @emcat1.bsky.social at our 9th Annual Viral Bioinformatics Course. This year we welcomed 16 amazing participants from Europe, Asia & Africa 🌍 @uofgsii.bsky.social #bioinformatics
054
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
We’re thrilled to launch our 9th annual course on viral bioinformatics & genomics! Welcome speech by head of Bioinformatics @davidlrobertson.bsky.social 🧬 #bioinformatics #genomics @cvrinfo.bsky.social @uofgsii.bsky.social @woahglobal.bsky.social
195
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Our Lego Sequencer GO-Seq is ready for #GlasgowScienceFestival 🧬 Join us today at the Riverside museum! @cvrinfo.bsky.social @uogcvrgenomics.bsky.social @uofgmvls.bsky.social @uofgsii.bsky.social
065
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kai Kupferschmidt @kakape.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC is still growing rapidly. There are now 635 confirmed cases including 127 deaths. That's 37 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, all of them from Ituri province. insp.cd/sitrep-n26-m...
48144
Reposted by Robertson Lab
University of Glasgow School of Infection & Immunity @uofgsii.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
🔜 | Two events led by @uofgsii.bsky.social colleagues feature in the upcoming Glasgow Science Festival: 🦠 #GermsGalore: Dr Hammarton (9–10 June, Botanic Gardens) 🧬 GoSeq Viral Detection, with Lego DNA Sequencing: @cvrinfo.bsky.social's Dr Smollett, Dr Orton & Dr Gu (14 June, Riverside Msm) 🧵 1/2
A Glasgow Science Festival themed illustration of two scientists standing beside three circular panels showing microbes, bacteria and DNA. One scientist holds a laboratory instrument while the other holds a DNA double helix. The colourful cartoon-style graphic represents microbiology, infection research and scientific discovery.
234
Reposted by Robertson Lab
University of Glasgow School of Infection & Immunity @uofgsii.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
🔗 LINKS Germs galore: www.gla.ac.uk/events/scien... GoSeq Viral Detection Using Lego DNA Sequencing: www.gla.ac.uk/events/scien... Glasgow Science Festival website: www.gla.ac.uk/events/scien... 🧵 2/2
gla.ac.uk
University of Glasgow - University events - Glasgow Science Festival
023
Reposted by Robertson Lab
WHO @who.int · 29/05/2026
As of 27 May, a total of 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths among suspected cases have been reported in the #DRC. As of 29 May, a total of 134 confirmed cases, including nine in Uganda, with 18 deaths among the confirmed cases, have been reported across both countries. More: bit.ly/4wYz7jJ
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda, 29 May
37642
Reposted by Robertson Lab
European Virus Bioinformatics Center @evbc.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
We had an amazing time at #ViBioM2026 last week in Vilnius 🇱🇹🤝 Researchers from around the world shared insights on virus #metagenomics, #phylogeny, protein & RNA biology, and #ML approaches. Huge thanks to all organizers, helpers, and our sponsors (GoVilnius, Viruses/MDPI, @febsopenbio.bsky.social)!
ViBioM 2026 Participants in the Theatre Hall at Vilnius UniversityPoster Session at Aula Parva (Vilnius University)Quizz time at the conference dinner!
1168
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kirstyn Brunker @kirstynbrunker.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
🧬 New resource alert! Pleased to share the release of RABV-gDB: a new platform for rabies virus genomic data, analysis, and sequence management developed @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social as part of the RAGE toolkit. 🌐 gdb-web-dev.cvr.gla.ac.uk 🔧 github.com/RAGE-toolkit #Rabies #Genomics #OneHealth
gdb-web-dev.cvr.gla.ac.uk
2108
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 25/05/2026
WHO chief says suspected Ebola deaths at 220 and 'epidemic is outpacing us' www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
rte.ie
WHO chief warns Ebola 'epidemic is outpacing us'
⁠The director-general of the World Health Organization said that there had been 220 suspected deaths in the current Ebola outbreak and that a delay in detecting cases meant responders were now "playin...
36036
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
The Proximal Origin of the MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak. virological.org/t/potential-...
virological.org
Potential geographical and ecological origin of the MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak
The recent outbreak aboard the MV Hondius caused by Andes virus raises two key questions [1]: (i) where do the outbreak genomes cluster geographically, and (ii) how can the phylogenetic signal be reco...
49746
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Mahan Ghafari @mghafari.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Our two-part analysis of the current MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak is now live, including reconstruction of the outbreak molecular clock dating of the closest known ancestors of the outbreak lineage. Part 1: outbreak sequence reconstruction and rooting virological.org/t/molecular-...
virological.org
Molecular evolutionary analysis of the current MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak
Preliminary reconstruction of the current MV Hondius Andes virus outbreak sequences Note on data use This is an informal analysis of currently available consensus sequences and is not intended as a fo...
12113
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Congrats to @ulad-litvin.bsky.social on winning 2nd best talk at #Vibiom2026! @cvrinfo.bsky.social 🏅
0125
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 contingent at the #Vibiom2026 meeting at Vilnius 🇱🇹 @cvrinfo.bsky.social @roslininstitute.bsky.social
0113
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
. @davidlrobertson.bsky.social is chairing the phylogenomics session of #VibioM2026 ; Great talks 👏 from @evogytis.bsky.social @willharv.bsky.social
062
Reposted by Robertson Lab
European Virus Bioinformatics Center @evbc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Back on track with Day 3 of #ViBioM2026! After two engaging days of talks, posters, discussions, quizzes, and challenges, we are looking forward to more talks and discussions on #virus #bioinformatics. Great to see such active exchange throughout the meeting 🫶 #ScientificExchange
041
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Pathoplexus @pathoplexus.org · 19/05/2026
Teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda have now shared the first sequences from the current Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak using Pathoplexus, just days after cases were confirmed. Read more about the response to Bundibugyo virus here: pathoplexus.org/news/2026-05...
pathoplexus.org
Pathoplexus | Ebola: Rapid response to the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda
Pathoplexus is a new, open-source database dedicated to the efficient sharing of human viral pathogen genomic data, fostering global collaboration and public health response.
02914
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Joseph Hughes @bljog.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Fifth and final @cvrinfo.bsky.social talk at ViBioM 2026. @ulad-litvin.bsky.social presenting viro3d.cvr.gla.ac.uk and other applications of alphafold in virology.
0126
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kai Kupferschmidt @kakape.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
There’s a LOT going on as researchers and public health experts race to respond to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC and Uganda before it grows bigger. Some really important questions still open, but also a few answers coming into view🧪 My overview in @science.org is here (and thread coming):
science.org
Scientists play catch-up to startling Ebola outbreak
Testing, sequencing, and clinical trial efforts spring to life as Bundibugyo virus spreads
6286169
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
. @ulad-litvin.bsky.social is presenting his work at #ViBioM2026 @cvrinfo.bsky.social
1125
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Amazing speed from the teams in Uganda and the DRC - impressive! Three genomes released so far - a few quick takes: 1️⃣ New genomes ~equidistant from 2007 and 2012 outbreaks. 2️⃣ Represents new spillover from reservoir. 3️⃣ Limited diversity, so too early to speculate on timing. Great work ⭐!
014870
Reposted by Robertson Lab
MRC-UofG Centre for Virus Research @cvrinfo.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Great to see a strong CVR contingent at #Vibiom2026 with Hayley Stone and James Herzig from @vibelab.co.uk and Robert Strange, Joseph Hughes and Ulad Litvin from @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social giving talks across the meeting sessions and @davidlrobertson.bsky.social chairing the Phylogenomics session!
0114
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
📣Registration is now open for the 1st UK Virome Forum meeting, on 5–6 October at @glasgow.ac.uk . This two-day event will bring together researchers using genomic approaches to study viromes. More info and registration: tinyurl.com/ukvf-2026 @cvrinfo.bsky.social
153
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
. @bljog.bsky.social presented a framework for interpreting mutation in viral genome on International Virus Bioinformatics meeting @evbc.bsky.social #Vibiom2026 @cvrinfo.bsky.social
1153
Reposted by Robertson Lab
CVR Bioinformatics @cvrbioinfo.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Robert Strange from @davidlrobertson.bsky.social presents his work at #ViBioM2026 @cvrinfo.bsky.social
1111
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
virological.org/t/initial-ge...
virological.org
Initial genomes from May 2026 Bundibugyo Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
Initial genomes from May 2026 Bundibugyo Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, reveal a new spillover event Context On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Public Health, ...
02810
Reposted by Robertson Lab
European Virus Bioinformatics Center @evbc.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
🌟 Day 1 of #ViBioM2026 at Vilnius University 🏛️ with a warm welcome by Manja, Gytis, and Ingrida – we already feel at home! Excited to start a full programme of talks, posters, and discussions on computational approaches in #virology. #viralgenomics #datascience #virusevolution
1136
Reposted by Robertson Lab
jenarna.bsky.social @jenarna.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
📣Excited to share our (first) VirJenDB publication! 🎁Check it out to see how your #virus database supports #metadata #biocuration and #bioinformatics integration. 🎶Stay tuned for collaboration opportunities in 2026, including a hackathon at #ViBioM2026! 📃 doi.org/10.1093/nar/... 💻 www.virjendb.org
144
Reposted by Robertson Lab
European Virus Bioinformatics Center @evbc.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Nuoširdžiai sveiki atvykę! #ViBioM2026 is underway in Vilnius!🎉🇱🇹 It's great to see participants arriving and connecting at today’s welcome get-together 🤝🍺  Excited for the days ahead, filled with talks, posters, and discussions across #virology and #bioinformatics 🧬💻  #researchcommunity
1133
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Viral Informatics, Biostatistics, and Evolution (VIBE) Lab @vibelab.co.uk · 18/05/2026
Followed by another @vibelab.co.uk member Dr Jamie Herzig showing how to tease apart genuine 'host signatures' in viral genomes from phylogenetic signal, also with graph neural nets! #ViBioM2026 @evbc.bsky.social
183
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Viral Informatics, Biostatistics, and Evolution (VIBE) Lab @vibelab.co.uk · 18/05/2026
Dr Haley Stone opening #ViBioM2026 showing our work to predict virus-tissue compatibility using graph neural nets! @evbc.bsky.social
1114
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Uganda reports that a person has died of Ebola there, too. A 59yo Congolese man. www.facebook.com/100063077148...
facebook.com
02512
Reposted by Robertson Lab
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Starting to hear that the species responsible is likely Bundibugyo virus - makes sense, given that Bundibugyo town is right across the border in Uganda. Similar case fatality rates across the species, but unlike Zaire and Sudan*, we don't have advanced vaccine candidates or monoclonals for BDBV.
44525