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Sam von der Dunk

@derdunk.bsky.social
358 followers 684 following 21 posts

Studying the evolution of complexity through modelling and phylogenomics

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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
When we allow communication to evolve between host and symbionts (passive leakage or active signaling), hosts evolve to take control over symbiont replication, reducing the evolutionary conflict. Yet the battle between hosts and symbionts continues, and the risk of extinction remains (Fig. 3c).
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Sexual reproduction of host cells mixes their symbiont populations in the next generation. Symbiont mixing is dangerous because it drives selection for selfish, fast-growing symbionts which overwhelm their host and cause extinction (see x's; Fig. 3a, x-axis represents evolutionary time).
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Protein structures are not inherently robust, but natural proteins are substantially more robust than random sequences, representing a clear signature of adaptation. Mutational robustness is relatively low in newborn and viral proteins, and provides a new perspective on protein evolution.
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
RNA structures are inherently evolvable and robust to mutations: random RNA molecules already show the same level of robustness and a similar distribution of secondary structures as natural RNA molecules. Hence, it is difficult to detect signatures of selection on the distribution of RNA structures.
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Great to see so many people at our symposium om the origin of eukaryotes. Thanks to all the speakers! #ESEB25 @julianvosseberg.bsky.social
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Interactive symbiosis in silico (back) and in vivo (front). #ESEB25
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Sam von der Dunk @derdunk.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
#ESEB2025 Exciting symposium alert: (S50) Unravelling the origin of eukaryotes. 🦑🌴 With speakers Purificación López-García and Mark Field. We are looking forward to your abstract submissions! eseb2025.com/list-of-symp... @julianvosseberg.bsky.social
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