Ben Larson

@blarson.bsky.social

1243 Followers 1271 Following

Protists, microscopy, biophysics, evolution. Interested in how cells control shape and movement https://www.benlarson.org Natura in minimis maxima Asst Prof, RPI | Postdoc, UCSF, Wallace Marshall | PhD, UCBerkeley, Nicole King | BA, Physics, Reed College

Scanning electron microscopy image of the ciliate Euplotes gigatrox on the cover of the journal PNAS. Distinct punk rock vibes

Clustering of gene expression patterns of normal morphs, supergiants, reverted cells, and intermediate cells, depicted in a PCA plot and tracing out a developmental cycle indicated by arrows

Representative images of a supergiant dividing to produce another supergiant and an asymmetric division by which supergiants revert to normal morphs

Plots depicting the emergence of supergiants, never constituting more than about 4% of the population, corresponding to stationary growth phase of the entire cell population and only occurring under moderate nutrient conditions.

A figure depicting differences in movement patterns of normal morphs and supergiants, with supergiants displaying curling walking trajectories and compact, tumbling swimming patterns compared to the extended, helical swimming patterns of normal morphs

Scanning electron microscopy images of different morphs of Euplotes gigatrox

A very large Euplotes cell surrounded by several normal sized cells

CARMABI research station in Curaço, a blue building with a dock, situated beachside

Cannibalistic predation event by a large Euplotes cell

Encrusted fruiting body of the myxomecete Fuligo septica growing out of mulch around landscaping plants

Euplotes cells perform chemotaxis toward a biofilm

The ciliate Euplotes perched on a piece of detritus