Hello email pals!

For a little while now, I’ve been working to understand why so many publications last year told us that llamas would save us from COVID-19. That story, which is really one about experimentation with small antibodies, the promise of Belgian biotechnology, and who owns the stuff of our bodies, is out today in Grow by Ginkgo. You can read it here and hopefully feel like this beautiful creature afterwards:

A number of Belgian scientists who work with llamas actually own llamas for fun. I was told that all they need is a roof and some grass.

On the more academic side, a small piece of my dissertation came out in the Journal of the History of Biology, everyone’s favorite weekend reading destination. The article was, very briefly, the most popular item in the journal and in the 90% percentile of Springer publications, so take that as you will (likely not at all). It’s available to university-connected folks here and free from my computer for anyone else who asks.

This is a new song by Future Islands called “Peach.” I would listen to literally anything Future Islands release, and if you’ve never seen this Letterman performance, it’s a must-watch.

I have never looked at who actually subscribes to this newsletter, I just know there are a surprising number of you. More soon!