Evolutionary Genomics of Sex

February 2026

Lab new preprint is out

🌟 New lab preprint on arXiv 🐸🧬

“Sex chromosome stability and turnover across vertebrates: a developmental gene regulatory network perspective”

https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.23624

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Wen-Juan and the Ma Lab are highlighted as part of VUB 'Women Shaping Science' campaign

Wen-Juan and the research from the Ma Lab have been highlighted as part of the VUB “Women Shaping Science” campaign, which celebrates the achievements and impact of women researchers across the university.

The feature showcases our lab’s work on sex chromosome evolution and the diversity of sex-determination systems, using frogs and other organisms to understand how sex chromosomes originate, change, and sometimes remain remarkably young across evolutionary time.

The campaign aims to highlight the important contributions of women scientists and to inspire the next generation of researchers. As part of the initiative, a portrait exhibition and media feature present the work and stories of several VUB researchers working across diverse scientific fields.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our research with a broader audience and to contribute to promoting diversity and visibility in science.

The news articles have been featured at VUB Tomorrow:
https://vubtomorrow.be/en/wen-juan-ma-awarded-erc-starting-grant-unravel-remarkable-diversity-and-evolution-sex-chromosomes

and VUB news:
https://www.vub.be/en/news/sexual-revolution-in-animal-kingdom
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