Structural Phylogenetics (StrPhy)

Structure-informed phylogenetic inference with FoldTree outperforms sequence-only trees on divergent proteins, and untangles RRNPPA quorum-sensing receptors across Gram-positive bacteria & phages. Work led by David Moi (www.linkedin.com/in/david-moi) Paper: doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Structural phylogenetics unravels the evolutionary diversification of communication systems in gram-positive bacteria and their viruses - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology Using a new method called FoldTree, the authors compare proteins on the basis of their shape to construct more accurate family trees over long evolutionary timescales and capture distant relationships...

Viral protein sequences are highly variable, but structures are much more conserved.
In this paper, David Moi et al. present a highly accurate method to infer phylogenetic trees from 3D protein structures — opening new ways to explore viral evolution and protein function.

APSPM 2026: Structural Phylogenetics Meeting A pivotal SMBE regional meeting in Brisbane on the interface of protein structure, function, and evolution.

We have had some amazing abstracts submitted to the free
@official-smbe.bsky.social APSPM meeting. To help you make up your mind, here is a sneak peek. Join for what will be an amazing meeting. biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/strphy26/sneakpeek/ . #StrPhy26 @strphy.bsky.social #Evolution #Science

February 2026 is shaping up to be the month for protein science down under!

Lorne (Feb 8–12) @lorneproteins.bsky.social

APSPM 2026, Brisbane (Feb 15–18)
biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/strphy26/str...

Two meetings and a summer of great science!

@strphy.bsky.social

@official-smbe.bsky.social

#APSPM2026 is open to anyone curious about combining protein structure and evolution. Learn where to start in our workshops and discover how structure meets phylogenetics.

Feb 15 - 18, 2026
Brisbane, Australia
Register here: biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/strphy26/reg...
(in-person only)

We can’t wait to welcome you to sunny Brisbane. Home to world-class research and a vibrant scientific community. Join us at the University of Queensland for #APSPM2026 to discuss how protein structure and evolution come together #StrPhy26

APSPM 2026: Structural Phylogenetics Meeting A pivotal SMBE regional meeting in Brisbane on the interface of protein structure, function, and evolution.

Abstract submissions are open for #APSPM2026!
🗓️ Deadline: Nov 28, 2026
📍 Brisbane + online
🎓 Travel grants for students & ECRs
Join us to explore how protein structures and AI are reshaping evolutionary biology.

@official-smbe.bsky.social

#StrPhy26 #StrPhy

The conference will be held on the beautiful St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland. Plenary speakers are @joannamasel.bsky.social (University of Arizona, USA) and Nicholas Matzke (University of Auckland, NZ).

Registration is free, but spaces are limited to 50 in-person attendees.

Structural phylogenetics is poised to reshape our understanding of molecular evolution. While the availability of structural data has exploded, its integration into evolutionary analysis has yet to reach its full potential. This meeting provides a timely forum to explore this frontier.

APSPM 2026: Structural Phylogenetics Meeting A pivotal SMBE regional meeting in Brisbane on the interface of protein structure, function, and evolution.

We are excited to announce APSPM 2026 - the SMBE Australasian Protein Structural Phylogenetics Meeting!

🗓️ 15-18 Feb. 2026
🌏 Brisbane, Australia

🔗 biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/strphy26/

📄 Abstract submission: 28.11.2025
✈️ Travel grant application: 28.11.2025
✏️ Registration: 15.01.2026

#StrPhy26

Protein Structural Phylogenetics Abstract. Protein structural phylogenetics is an interdisciplinary branch of molecular evolution that (i) uses 3D structural data to trace evolutionary his

Third Era of Phylogenetics!

1️⃣ Era 1: Morphology 🦴
2️⃣ Era 2: Sequences 🧬
3️⃣ Era 3: 3D Structures ⚛️

Solving deep evolutionary puzzles like never before. Our new review in GBE explores what's next in #phylogenetics

academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...

#structuralbiology #evolution #AlphaFold #SciSky

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Special Section in GBE: Structural Phylogenetics

Here we showcase novel work on how 3D protein structures can reshape evolutionary biology, from methods to applications.

More papers coming out soon!

@genomebiolevol.bsky.social @proteinmechanic.bsky.social

academic.oup.com/gbe/search-r...