iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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BES Evolutionary Ecology Group @bes-evolecol.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We are so excited to announce Arvid Ågren as our next webinar speaker on the 21st October at 3:30PM (BST). @arvidagren.bsky.social works on genomic conflict—the selective tensions within every cell and how they are resolved. Register (for free) here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/evol...

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Hanna Kokko @kokkonut.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There is still time to apply! I'll start reading the applications this Friday.

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Journal of Evolutionary Biology @jevbio.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Can selfish genetic elements get away with their selfishness? This depends on ecology of their host organisms. Under certain conditions, selfish genetic elements may spread virtually unopposed by selection: doi.org/10.1093/jeb/... @martijnschenkel.bsky.social @arvidagren.bsky.social & M. Patten

doi.org

The ecological theatre of selfish elements

Abstract. Some selfish genetic elements enhance their transmission to the next generation by interfering with and eliminating competing variants within the

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

New paper with Nick Davies and Kevin Foster in @natcomms.nature.com. We show that often neither selection against transposons’ deleterious effects nor exploitation by parasitic elements is sufficient to keep them in control. Only active host suppression does. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Another nice paper for our @jevbio.bsky.social special issue on internal conflicts: "Fetal microchimeric cells: Today’s enemies, tomorrow’s friends" By Francisco Úbeda and @geoffwild.bsky.social. academic.oup.com/jeb/advance-...

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Andy Gardner @andygardner.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

New paper: "Inclusive fitness for the conflicted individual" (Open Access) doi.org/10.1093/jeb/... "internal conflict per se does not erode the adaptive integrity of the individual" @jevbio.bsky.social

The theory of inclusive fitness explains the process and purpose of social adaptation. However, the canonical derivation of inclusive fitness assumes a simple causal relationship between genotype and phenotype. In reality, different components of the genotype may have different impact upon the phenotype and different genetic relatedness to social partners, as, for example, in the case of parent-of-origin effects that have been implicated in the evolution of genomic imprinting and a diversity of pathological phenotypes. Whilst such scenarios may be framed in terms of a clash of inclusive-fitness interests of different genes or different genetic factions, it remains unclear whether and how an individual’s inclusive fitness may be defined in the context of such internal conflicts. Here, I investigate how the derivation of inclusive fitness is affected in the context of an individual suffering from internal conflict between her maternal-origin versus paternal-origin genes. I show that, in relation to a single conflicted trait, the individual’s inclusive fitness is given as a weighted average of the interests of the underlying genetic factions, with the power wielded by each faction providing the appropriate weight. This reveals that internal conflict per se does not erode the adaptive integrity of the individual. Rather, it is variation in the underlying balance of power across different traits that leads to a breakdown of the individual’s unity of purpose.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

*NEW PAPER* On why selfish elements thrive when ecological conditions permit soft selection. With @martijnschenkel.bsky.social and Manus Patten. Now available for early view on @jevbio.bsky.social. academic.oup.com/jeb/advance-...

academic.oup.com

The Ecological Theatre of Selfish Elements

Abstract. Some selfish genetic elements enhance their transmission to the next generation by interfering with and eliminating competing variants within the

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Gaurav Athreya @gauravathreya.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

wanna read the latest overview of “internal evolutionary conflicts” — scenarios where genes spread despite being organism-deleterious? and wanna learn how to model them? look at our new preprint! we introduce unifying ideas, and try hard to write accessibly. small 🧵 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

As always, great to work with this joy of a group of organisers. Keep eye out for more activities, in person and online here internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Fantastic week at @nitmb.bsky.social in Chicago. Many thanks to all participants and to all the NITMB staff.

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NSF-Simons NITMB @nitmb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

🧬 Exploring the implications of within-organism conflicts for organismal biology with biology We’re welcoming the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation: Mathematical Foundations workshop to NITMB! A huge thank you to the organizers and speakers. We look forward to the week’s discussions!

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European Society for Evolutionary Biology @eseb.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Excited to launch the first call for proposals focusing on policy and/or societal impact of evolutionary biology research. Activities might include: ✅ local meetings on policy and/or societal impact ✅ actions to influence policy 💰€500-2K available Read more here and apply: shorturl.at/ixlby

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European Society for Evolutionary Biology @eseb.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

📣 Two weeks into hosting @evoldir.bsky.social and all is well! 📥 Original subscribers please check your inboxes and complete the opt-in process if you have not already done so 📆 EvolDir updates are temporarily being emailed twice weekly. Daily updates will resume ASAP! Thanks to all 🙏

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Asher Leeks @asherleeks.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

We're recruiting! We're looking for two graduate students to join us at UBC in Vancouver. Fully funded and open to global applicants, with flexible start-date. Topics include theory, bioinformatics, and microbiology. More details: asherleeks.com/apply #socialviruses #evosky #virosky 🧪

Leeks Lab is recruiting. We study social evolution in viruses. We're recruiting for two fully funded PhD or MSc positions, starting from September 2026. Evolutionary theory / experimental microbiology / viral bioinformatics. Experience optional / enthusiasm essential. asherleeks.com/apply

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EvolDir @evoldir.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

📣 EvolDir is now managed by @eseb.bsky.social! We are delighted to be taking the reins and express our gratitude to both Brian Golding who began this service to the community in the mid-1980s and to @rdmpage.bsky.social who ran this account until now 👏 You can now find evoldir here: evoldir.net

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NSF-Simons NITMB @nitmb.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

⏰ Travel applications are closing TOMORROW for our upcoming workshop, ‘Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation: Mathematical Foundations’ Apply today to secure your spot at the workshop! www.nitmb.org/internal-con...

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Join us for another Internal Conflicts STN seminar next week Wednesday at 10:00 UTC! Speakers are @arburga.bsky.social and @patrick-kennedy.bsky.social. See internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/.

Meeting details for the STN seminar, with speakers Alejandro Burga and Patrick Kennedy (both pictured).

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Applications for the ECR research visit grants from the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN are due by the end of the month! €1000 to support visits by ECRs to a laboratory to e.g set up collaborations, learn new techniques, etc. See internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/ecr-research...

internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com

ECR research visit grants

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30th 2026 We are happy to announce that the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN has funding available to support several small travel grants for early-caree…

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NSF-Simons NITMB @nitmb.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Explore the implications of within-organism conflicts for organismal biology at our upcoming workshop, ‘Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation: Mathematical Foundations!’ Travel applications are due Wednesday, April 15th www.nitmb.org/internal-con...

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Join us in Chicago in June!

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Join us at the NITMB in Chicago next June to talk about internal conflicts! The workshop will feature tutorials, talks, and discussions. Funding is available to provide travel and lodging for some attendees (apply!).

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Upcoming seminar in the @eseb.bsky.social Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation Special Topics Network Really looking forward to Tuesday next week, March 17, when we have @mobilepurin.bsky.social and @manishamuna.bsky.social presenting. Join us! Zoom links etc in the post below.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Are you an early career researcher who want to visit another lab to collaborate on a project on internal conflicts? Apply for our ECR Research Visit Grant! Deadline is April 30.

We are happy to announce that the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN has funding available to support several small travel grants for early-career researchers to enable them to visit another laboratory.
What is this for?
This funding is intended to enable early-career researchers – PhD students, postdocs, and junior research fellows – to visit another laboratory. In so doing, they can learn a new method or approach and/or initiate novel collaborations in the form of manuscripts, grants, or fellowship proposals. We envision that these visits are short stays (a week up to a month) but longer stays are also permitted.
Who can apply?
Early-career researchers, i.e. PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and up to junior research fellows (i.e., those in tenure-track positions but not tenured yet). Priority will be given to ESEB members and to trips that reflect novel collaborations (i.e., between people who have not previously collaborated, defined by co-authorship). ESEB membership is cheap (€40 annually, €20 for students) and discounts are available for residents of low to upper-middle economy countries (see ESEB website for details). Membership also comes with additional benefits such as reduced fees for conference attendance.
What can be requested?
Applicants can request funding to support a short research visit at another institution. The maximum amount of support that can be requested is €1.000, to be used for travel and accommodation. The provided funding cannot be used to cover research costs, wages, and/or stipends. ESEB policy states that we should minimize the environmental impact of e.g. travel; therefore, we will only support travel by airplane if the distance travelled exceeds 500 km and the travel time with alternative forms of transport would be more than 6 hours.

How to apply:
Download the application form and fill it out.
Obtain two short letters of support, one from your supervisor/line manager and one from the host research group explai…

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Join us tomorrow for an evolutionary medicine special of internal conflicts!

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Journal of Evolutionary Biology @jevbio.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Individuals can fall apart into their constituent parts via evolutionary reversions in individuality, but this process can occur in two distinct ways that shape the evolution of individuality: doi.org/10.1093/jeb/... @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social & Manus Patten

doi.org

Evolutionary transitions and reversions in individuality

Abstract. Biological individuality exists in different forms—unicellular, multicellular, colonial, etc.—which have arisen through evolutionary transitions

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Journal of Evolutionary Biology @jevbio.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

📣SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING: 📣 28th February Special Issue: Foundations of Internal Conflicts Guest Edited by @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, @arvidagren.bsky.social, @imprintedgene.bsky.social, Nina Wedell and Manus Patten For more info: academic.oup.com/jeb/pages/ca...

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Very excited for the upcoming seminars of the of the Internal Conflicts and Organismal Adaptation STN @eseb.bsky.social! Featuring @manishamuna.bsky.social, @mobilepurin.bsky.social, @joealcock.bsky.social, @asherleeks.bsky.social Join the email list here: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Join us for another Internal Conflicts STN seminar tomorrow at 9:00 UTC! Emily Hornett (@bolinabug.bsky.social) and Greg Hurst (@greghurst.bsky.social) will talk about their work on male-killing and sex determination evolution. Zoom info and more: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict is now out! Get your copy directly from @harvardpress.bsky.social

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Athena Aktipis @athenaaktipis.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Join me Tuesday with authors J. Arvid Agren and Manus M. Patten for the launch of their book The Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

*SAVE THE DATE* On Tuesday December 16 at 11am Eastern we will have virtual book launch of The Paradox of the Organism. It will be hosted by the great @athenaaktipis.bsky.social. Please join! Zoom link here: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/

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Miya Qiaowei Pan @miyapan.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Excited to share that I’m starting a research group at MPI for Biology Tübingen — and we’re recruiting PhD students! We are offering two fully funded PhD positions on sex determination and development in Hymenoptera 🐜🐝. Please share with prospective students who might be interested.

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Got my copy in the mail today! Looking forward to (finally) reading the actual book 🥳

A book titled "Paradox of the Organism: Adaptation and Internal Conflict", edited by J. Arvid Ågren and Manus M. Patten.

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

We're looking for papers! If you're working on internal conflicts - selfish genetic elements, cancer, etc. - consider submitting your work to our special issue. You'll be in good company, plus all the other benefits that come with supporting society journals like JEB.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Wonderful talks and discussion from @jenncoughlan.bsky.social and @ecmoore.bsky.social y.social! If you missed it, the recording will soon be available at internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/ Pencil in December 16 for the last seminar of the year.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

One more day to go! 10am Eastern Thursday November 13. internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Speciation special with @jenncoughlan.bsky.social and @ecmoore.bsky.social! Thursday November 13.

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

New paper out with Manus Patten and @arvidagren.bsky.social in Biology & Philosophy! We propose a framework to capture the severity of different types of internal conflict and how this allows for a quantitative approach to evolutionary individuality across different biological collectives.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

*NEW PAPER* How much of a threat are within-organism conflicts, really? In Biology & Philosophy, @martijnschenkel.bsky.social, Manus Patten, and I present a mathematical framework to measure evolutionary individuality in the face of internal conflicts. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Screenshot of the abstract. It reads

In biology, individuals can be identified at various levels of organization, ranging from the molecular and cellular—e.g., viruses and protists—to the organismal and societal—e.g., termites and termite colonies. This nested biological hierarchy results from evolutionary transitions in individuality, in which lower-lying entities (particles) come together to form higher-level entities (collectives). These collectives are then taken to be individuals in their own right, capable of being the units on which selection acts and where adaptations may reside. Challenges arise, however, when we recognize the possibility for internal conflict, for example from selfish genetic elements within organisms. Here we develop a quantitative approach to biological individuality, in which collectives qualify as individuals to the extent that their particles possess a unity of purpose—i.e., that they possess aligned fitness interests. We propose a mathematical framework that measures the degree of individuality exhibited by organisms and other biological collectives in the presence of internal conflicts. This framework not only helps pinpoint where in the hierarchy biological individuality sits, but also identifies the level at which adaptation may reside. We develop two metrics: fitness unity, which measures the threat posed by internal conflicts to a collective individual’s status as an optimizing agent; and trait unity, which measures differences in optimal strategies among its particles. Finally, we consider cases where internal conflicts become so disruptive to individualized biological collectives so that it no longer makes sense to think of them as individuals, but instead as compromises of multiple competing particles.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Working any sort of within-organism conflict? Submit a paper to our special issue in @jevbio.bsky.social!

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Working on internal conflicts? Please submit to the Internal Conflicts STN special issue with @jevbio.bsky.social! We invite work on all forms of within-organism conflict, and are very keen to receive research manuscripts. See the link for more info, or reach out to me if you have any questions.

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The second seminar of the year is on Thursday, October 16 at 10am Eastern. @salazarafra.bsky.social + @ellenclarke.bsky.social Join us! internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/

Afra Salazar (University of Lausanne): Can individuality help us improve community functions?
Ellen Clarke (University of Leeds): Evolutionary unitization in bacteria

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Arvid Ågren @arvidagren.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

First seminar is this Friday, September 19 at 9am Eastern. Laurence Hurst and Phil Madgwick. Join us!

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Martijn Schenkel @martijnschenkel.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Join us this Friday at 13:00 UTC for the first Internal Conflicts STN seminar of this academic year, featuring Laurence Hurst and Phil Madgwick! Details via internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/, also on several upcoming seminars.

Information on the seminar, with pictures of Laurence Hurst (left) and Phil Madgwick (right).

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