How could a simple self-replicating system emerge at the origins of life? RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but existing ones are so large that their self-replication seems impossible. Could they be smaller? Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase. 1/n

🦠The future of pathogen forecasting needs rigorous benchmarks and domain-specific modeling, not only bigger PLMs. EVEREST is a step in that direction. 🔗Paper: biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 💻Code + data: github.com/debbiemarksl... 12/12

I finally know why the cap was designed that way.....

Kraemer et al. use machine learning to model epidemics more efficiently. Their work shows faster forecasting, better handling of incomplete data, and more accurate infection estimates, pointing to improved global health decision making. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Interesting bioRxiv preprint by a team around Charles Craik, Adam Renslo and @theottlab.bsky.social. Inhibitors for Mpro of coronaviruses based on a dihydrouracil chemotype and a propargyl amide warhead as reactive group to engage the catalytic cysteine. #chemsky #ChemBio www.biorxiv.org/cont...#chemsky

Thrilled to share our latest work identifying that #SARSCoV2 #Omicron variants harboring an L260F mutation in NSP6 have enhanced replication and pathogenesis. A not so brief thread 🧵