tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 04/06/2026New popular piece on our hand and foot evolution study: current.fas.harvard.edu/stories/evol...current.fas.harvard.eduEvolution of human hands progressed feet-firstTo grasp the evolution of the human hand, look to your feet. 070
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/05/20261/ How did the human skeleton evolve to support bipedalism and tool use? 🦴 A new study from my lab in Genome Biology and Evolution dives into the genomic changes that separate us from chimpanzees during skeletal development. academic.oup.com/gbe/article/.... Here's a quick overview of what we found:academic.oup.comIn Vitro Massively Parallel Screening of Human Regulatory Elements Involved in Postcranial Skeletal Development for Differential Activity Compared to ChimpanzeeAbstract. Every element of the human skeleton exhibits some differences in comparison to our closest living relatives, chimpanzees. Many of these skeletal 2135
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Modular genetic architecture underlies human hand and foot evolution | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...pnas.orgModular genetic architecture underlies human hand and foot evolution | PNASThe functional divergence of the hand and foot for prehension and locomotion, respectively, has long been recognized as a critical event in human e... 1153
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 27/01/2026www.isscr.org/isscr-news/i...isscr.orgISSCR Statement in Response to New NIH Policy on Research Using Human Fetal Tissue (NOT-OD-26-028) — International Society for Stem Cell ResearchThe abrupt ending of NIH support for fetal tissue research will undermine the development of new therapies for diseases that affect American families. Research with human fetal tissue (HFT) and HFT-de... 000
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 23/12/2025Great coverage of our work on the pelvis: www.harvardmagazine.com/research/har...harvardmagazine.comWhy Humans Walk on Two Legs | Harvard MagazineResearch highlights our evolutionary ancestors’ unique pelvis. 042
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Terrific new work on tendon growth by Heather Dingwall @dingwallaby.bsky.social and @jennagalloway.bsky.social in collaboration with my lab. Congrats Heather and all authors! journals.plos.org/plosgenetics...journals.plos.orgDynamic transcriptional and epigenetic changes define postnatal tendon growthAuthor summary Tendons provide essential connections within our musculoskeletal system, transmitting the force from muscle to bone to enable movement. Concomitant with skeletal growth, tendon developm... 243
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 09/11/2025Great work on the genetics of osteoarthritis by my post-doc Dr. @clarissacoveney.bsky.social and lab: acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/.../art.43231 021
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 06/11/2025Pleased to announce our new review on human musculoskeletal evolution lead by my post-doc @gayani.bsky.social. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...sciencedirect.comNew methodological approaches and insights gained toward understanding the evolved human skeletonModern humans exhibit marked musculoskeletal changes when compared to those of our African ape relatives, such as chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. … 071
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/10/2025Here is the tweetorial for the terrific work by Clarissa Coveney in my lab. 020
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/10/2025Delighted to announce the publication of this amazing work by my post-doc Dr. Clarissa Coveney and a team of wonderful collaborators. This work on GDF5 and its roles in controlling disease risk was published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...lnkd.inLinkedInThis link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn 181
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 28/10/2025Recent coverage of our Nature Paper on the Evolution of Human Bipedalism: www.sciencenews.org/article/gene...sciencenews.orgTwo tiny genetic shifts helped early humans walk uprightScientists have linked bipedalism to changes in how the human pelvis developed millions of years ago. 062
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 28/10/2025Please share/repost widely: I have a postdoc position available. Please see ad below and reach out to apply. academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15449academicpositions.harvard.eduPostdoctoral Fellow in the Capellini Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary GeneticsThe Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Evolutionary and Developmental Genetics Laboratory of Dr. Terence D. Capellini.... 022
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialtdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 24/10/2025Please share/repost widely: I have a postdoc position available. Please see ad below and reach out to apply. academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15449academicpositions.harvard.eduPostdoctoral Fellow in the Capellini Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary GeneticsThe Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Evolutionary and Developmental Genetics Laboratory of Dr. Terence D. Capellini.... 01323
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 24/10/2025Please share/repost widely: I have a postdoc position available. Please see ad below and reach out to apply. academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15449academicpositions.harvard.eduPostdoctoral Fellow in the Capellini Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary GeneticsThe Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Evolutionary and Developmental Genetics Laboratory of Dr. Terence D. Capellini.... 01323
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 02/10/2025In the sadness I feel for the passing of Jane Goodall, I take from her a continued energy, passion, and commitment to bolster up, fight for, and inspire those without voices! We must be champions to protect this earth and basic decency! 040
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 26/09/2025Question for those at academic research institutions: Have your institutions received requests from the federal government regarding recent changes in Restricted Party and Export Controls Screening Process? 000
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 25/09/2025Kirstin Sterner (University of Oregon) and I would like to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Sam Queeno, who successfully defended her dissertation entitled "A New Perspective on Human Bipedalism: Using Functional Genomics as a Window to Past Physiology". Terrific Job Sam!!!! 010
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialDaniel Aldrich @danielaldrich.bsky.social · 18/09/2025This was a 9-0 decision last year 412345
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Thanks Nature for this terrific coverage of our work! @gayani.bsky.social 041
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Thanks Katie Kavanagh for this nice news piece on our work!!! @gayani.bsky.social 141
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 28/08/2025Study shows how the human pelvis was reshaped for upright walking | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...science.orgStudy shows how the human pelvis was reshaped for upright walkingComparisons of pelvic development in human and primate embryos reveals key steps in human evolution 051
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialAnthropology.net @anthropology.net · 27/08/2025New research shows the human pelvis didn’t evolve gradually—it flipped its growth pattern 90° and rewired bone formation. These shifts let our ancestors walk upright and birth big-brained babies. #HumanEvolution #Anthropology #Bipedalismanthropology.netTwo Genetic Leaps That Set Us WalkingNew research traces the pelvic transformation that let humans rise from the trees 514536
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialCarl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 27/08/2025A genetic flip helped turn us into upright walkers. Here’s my evo-devo story about the ilium. Gift link: nyti.ms/45BOenz 47829
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialGayani Senevirathne @gayani.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Super excited and thrilled to see this work come out in Nature today. 🥹@tdcapellini.bsky.social Thank you so much for your amazing mentorship throughout the project, and to all my co-authors who helped take this work to the next level. 4174
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Fantastic coverage of our recent work in Nature. Thanks!!!! 062
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/s...nytimes.comUncovering the Genes That Let Our Ancestors Walk Upright 53913
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 27/08/20251) I am delighted to present this terrific tour de force research conducted by my post-doc Dr. Gayani Senevirathne @gayani.bsky.social and published today in Nature - www.nature.com/articles/s41...nature.comThe evolution of hominin bipedalism in two steps - NatureThe human pelvis exhibits distinct spatiotemporal ossification patterns and an ilium cartilage growth plate that is shifted perpendicularly compared with those of other mammals and non-human primates—... 79845
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialThe Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 11/06/2025Newsom: "Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived. He's taking a wrecking ball to our Founding Father's historic project." 469222556768
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialHuman Evolution Research Institute at University of Cape Town @heriuct.bsky.social · 30/05/2025🧬NEW: Our Dr Palesa Madupe & colleagues retrieved some of the oldest human genetic data from #Africa They identify 2million year-old protein remains from Paranthropus robustus to reveal its biological sex & genetic variability Read about this breakthrough in human evolution studies: bit.ly/3HiOgqPbit.lyAncient genetic data reveals biological sex and genetic variability of Paranthropus robustus — HERI - Human Evolution Research InstituteUsing a technique called palaeoproteomics, researchers extracted 2-million-year-old protein remains from Paranthropus robustus teeth to reveal biological sex and genetic variability. 02916
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 29/05/2025Today, I take the reigns as Chair, Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard. Big thankyou to Dan Lieberman outgoing Chair & Joe Henrich, previous Chair. They did tremendous jobs advancing HEB's intellectual/academic vibrancy. I'll work hard for all students, postdocs & faculty in this changing landscape 3211
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 23/05/2025We are responding legally to our President’s illegal acts! All should do the same www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/u...nytimes.comHarvard Sues Trump Administration Over Move to Bar International Students 031
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 21/05/20251) Despite the chaos, I am very pleased to present the terrific research conducted by my post-doc @clarissacoveney.bsky.social. acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.comComplex regulatory interactions at GDF5 shape joint morphology and osteoarthritis disease riskObjectives To reveal causal level osteoarthritis (OA) disease biology by targeting regulatory interactions at GDF5. Methods By investigating different GDF5 regulatory regions (R2, R3-5, R7-R9, R18... 1176
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 20/05/2025Postdoc position in human brain evolution at the amazing @janetsong.bsky.social lab at Harvard! Despite the freeze, she’s hiring! Send her a message. 055
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialBrunetLab @brunetlab.bsky.social · 19/05/2025www.harvard.eduharvard.eduHarvard UniversityHarvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally. 0164
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 14/04/2025A huge congratulations to my graduate student Dr. Alexander Okamoto for successfully defending his remarkable dissertation today! You make all of us in HEB very proud! 040
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 14/04/2025I’m very proud of my university Harvard and support this move entirely!!!! 030
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 28/03/2025See national impact of federal health research cuts scienceimpacts.orgscienceimpacts.orgSCiMaP 001
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Maybe we can spread this like wild fire 011
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Maine Governor Janet Mills told Trump she’ll see him in court. Now he demands an apology. Apologize for nothing Mills! Going through the courts is the proper channels not some apology for illegal actions. #DON’T_BEND_THE_KNEE 020
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialSenator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 21/03/2025Secretary Lutnick: You are a billionaire. Maybe your mother-in-law wouldn't complain if she didn't get her Social Security check, but tens of millions of seniors struggling to survive would. They're not fraudsters. They earned it. How out of touch are you not to realize that? 67887922142
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialMike Rothschild @rothschildmd.bsky.social · 21/03/2025The US is scheduled to co-host the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028. Why would thousands of international athletes and millions of fans from around the world come to a country where tourists, asylum seekers, and visa holders are being disappeared to foreign prisons? 34158291773
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialAdam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 05/03/2025When Donald Trump threatens student protests, consider why: throughout modern history, student movements have repeatedly been the catalyst that toppled dictatorships. Authoritarian leaders fear campus activism precisely because it works. Below is a list of 36 student-led pro-democracy movements.🧵 251384568
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 27/02/2025Concerning new executive order "IMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT’S “DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY” COST EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE" (Feb 26th, 2025) 010
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 24/02/2025NIH GHD Study Section scheduled for today/tomorrow is now canceled. Got the notice now. 020
Reposted by @tdcapellini.bsky.socialDaniel Aldrich @danielaldrich.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Trump undoing US science capacity : for most of the past century, the United States has been the global leader in scientific discovery. In just the last five years, US scientists won more Nobel Prizes than the rest of the world combined. An end of an era www.chronicle.com/article/the-...chronicle.comThe Rise (and Fall?) of the National Science FoundationIn the ’50s, America declared science an “endless frontier.” We may be reaching the end of it. 071
tdcapellini.bsky.social @tdcapellini.bsky.social · 19/02/2025This Executive Order ensures that Presidential Accountability (and subordinates) is under the control of the Executive Branch. So, the President is in charge of their own accountability even if it runs through the OMB (part of executive branch). This is wrong! www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...whitehouse.govEnsuring Accountability for All AgenciesBy the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: 020
