Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)’s Post

Biology is changing profoundly, challenging reductionist assumptions. You'll have to reconsider what you were taught at school! Stunning lecture by world-class experimental scientist, Michael Levin. - intelligence is not just in brains - living things solve problems at molecular, sub-cellular and organ levels - memory is not only held in the brain and can be inheritable - our bodies are a collection of intelligent cells and organs each of which can solve problems separately but in a way to create a whole working organism - bioelectricity, NOT genes, determines the shape of organisms ['The Selfish Gene' idea is incorrect, or at least, woefully incomplete] - living things are in a constant state of creativity, not determinism - living things 'know' the outcome they want to achieve, but can achieve that outcome in very different ways, even how to construct a limb or an organ - so there is 'Purpose' is biological systems - this new understanding gives us new ways to think about cancer - look for bioelectric treatments rather than genetic ones - there is a lot more to evolution than genetic mutation and differential survival of the fittest Like all truly brilliant science, it opens up many more questions than it answers. The stranglehold of Reductionism and Determinism which dominates current scientific orthodoxy, and our culture more generally, is weakening, giving us exciting new opportunities to rethink our place in the world and reimagine the future. https://lnkd.in/eSj435T3 #systems #holism #reductionism #determinism #intelligence #biology #cancer #reimagine

Our first paper is out now: we show that selective autophagy of the key root architecture transcription factoe ARF7 modulates lateral root formation. https://lnkd.in/dVmr9djD

Genomic basis determining root system architecture in maize https://lnkd.in/gwcppE6x

Supporting Anthony Rees’s post here! We need to be very careful about the training data used in AI models. In life science this applies right across the spectrum from fundamental research through, drug design to clinical diagnosis and practise. Actually the findings may not be so surprising. Copying processes (by humans especially, but not exclusively) can lead to garbled and corrupted final output ( the errors in proportion to the number of times a copying process is repeated. Applies in inheritance too, despite the high fidelity of DNA replication. And we know what happens in successive inbreeding. Isn’t that rather reminicient of AI models being successively trained on AI generated data?! At the end of the day, humans have to moderate AI, not vice versa! # #AI #genomics #training #data #garbageingarbageout #drugdesign #healthcare #diagnosis #redflag

Molecular characterization of pepper PEBP genes reveals the diverse functions of CaFTs in flowering and plant architecture https://lnkd.in/g-GbgZqx

Interested in the latest findings on the genomic architecture of Mexicans? Join our upcoming seminar!

So interesting to hear from the European Union on their INCA (Integrated System for Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Accounting in the EU) approach, detailing how biophysical modeling and ecosystem services accounts are used to manage and assess natural resources within the European Union. Their presentation is focused and short, as it was a video presentation presented during the UN Big Data Conference held in Bilbao at the beginning of June. I am always fascinated to catch up on these, and grateful the UN Statistics publishes these videos and some proceedings online after the fact. The video introduces their methodology, applications, and the current outcomes of the INCA project. Listening to it from a rights based perspective, there are several areas in that impel me to follow-up. For example: How has INCA and the methodology behind biophysical modeling and ecosystem services accounts facilitated the integration of diverse knowledge systems: When we read the CBD and KMGBF, the crucial importance of incorporating Indigenous science and ecological knowledge alongside scientific data is repeated again and again - is there a framework for engagement? Does it adhere to the CARE principles and Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance? On stakeholder (and let us not forget rightsholder) participation: There is an urgent need for inclusive decision-making processes that consider the perspectives of all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples. This is clearly called out in the KMGBF's Section C, as well as in Target 22. How has this been reflected in the methodologies behind INCA? As with any mapping initiative, there must be an understanding beyond the physical, integrating cultural and spiritual values. INCA acknowledges the Socio-economic and Ecological sides - but how has this been done, and is recognition of the broader value of ecosystems beyond just economic benefits integrated? Despite the lack of specific mention of Indigenous Peoples, I hope INCA will proactively include Indigenous perspectives in ecosystem services accounting frameworks. This includes fostering collaborative research, respecting Indigenous knowledge systems, and creating policy guidelines to protect Indigenous rights and land management practices. I look forward to seeing resources allocated to strengthen Indigenous participation in biophysical modeling and ecosystem services accounting, ensuring full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity. Learn more about INCA here: https://lnkd.in/gn8WY6zG #Biodiversity #IndigenousRights #EcosystemServices #SustainableDevelopment #DataForGood #EnvironmentalPolicy

Study gives first view of centromere variation and evolution https://lnkd.in/drYmXdVn

It’s dandelion season! Dandelion and tdTomato: Stop naming bioinformatics tools and biomaterial after living organisms https://lnkd.in/dRmmbiMT

Big news today for 2 Spatial Genomics Companies: 1. 10x Genomics won a permanent injunction against Nanostring/Bruker for the use of the GeoMX in the USA. 2. Singular Genomics is being acquired by Deerfield The picture keeps changing for spatial genomics