Published on Aug 29, 2016
Update - We've Been Busy!
It’s been awhile since our last lab note, but we definitely haven’t been lollygagging around! This summer we’ve collected Photinus pyralis fireflies and worked with PacBio to find the best, most co...
Published on May 05, 2016
What else will we learn from the firefly genome?
We're excited about this project for so many reasons! Not only will it provide new insight into how fireflies first gained their remarkable light-producing talent, but we're excited to learn more ...
Published on Apr 11, 2016
TED Talk on Firefly Evolution
Curious to learn more about fireflies? Then check out this 2014 TED Talk by Firefly Genome team member:
Well-done, and a terrific explanation of the process!
Nov 19, 2016
Illuminating the firefly genome
View commentGreat question! Studies in Photinus fireflies have shown that females preferentially respond to males based on both their flash duration and their flash rate.
Apr 13, 2016
Illuminating the firefly genome
View commentHi Misha-
Thanks for your many questions! Since you're interested in many of the more technical details of our methods (which we appreciate!), perhaps it would be best for us to answer these technical questions via email. Please feel free to contact any of the team directly.
Many thanks for your interest in this project!
Apr 13, 2016
Illuminating the firefly genome
View commentWhy did we choose Photinus pyralis fireflies?
In addition to being the iconic North American firefly, Photinus pyralis is historically important: this was the species William McElroy & John Buck used for their foundational work in the 1940s describing the biochemistry & physiology of bioluminescense (e.g. McElroy 1947 PNAS paper http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079070/).
Apr 11, 2016
Illuminating the firefly genome
View commentThese days, most scientists *wish* they had $10K just laying around. Also, PacBio's and other sponsors support would actually come to ~$40K.
Apr 11, 2016
Illuminating the firefly genome
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