Mapping parasite molecules to treat autoimmune disease | Ditto Bio How we use parasite biology and our MoleculeMapper platform to improve target selection for autoimmune disease — including a viral molecule that invented the same mechanism as a blockbuster drug.

Finally got around to writing up some of our progress at @dittobio.bsky.social !

Check out our inaugural blog post to learn how my favorite parasites (aka viruses 😎) can improve target selection and help discover blockbuster drug mechanisms for autoimmune disease: www.dittobio.com/blog/2025-03...

The I-F in me really wants to say something about this

A decade ago my benchmate Lina Leon and I were studying viruses and CRISPR together in grad school. Now Lina’s building immune assays at @dittobio.bsky.social to test our therapeutics proteins!

Maybe the real PhD is the friends you make along the way

[photo cred @jbdsf.bsky.social , 2016]

Don't worry, we would never forget about schisto! 🪱

If you enjoyed this #TickTalk, stay tuned! We will be posting more parasite facts and beautiful parasite illustrations from @mezarque.bsky.social soon.

Studying ticks fundamentally shaped how I think about immune modulation, and the thrill of mining their genomes for treasure is a huge part of what led me to take the leap to start @dittobio.bsky.social

Comparative phylogenomic analysis of chelicerates points to gene families associated with long-term suppression of host detection We investigated patterns of gene family evolution across ticks and other parasites. We used phylogenetic profiling and trait-association tests to identify gene families that may enable parasitic speci...

@Arcadia Science, my team studied tick evolution. We found an armament of unique, amazing molecules that they use to feed on us undetected (thestacks.org/publications...).

To suck your blood without being noticed, it injects you with thousands of molecules like:

-anesthetics that block itch and pain, so you don’t feel them

- immunomodulatory proteins to evade immune system attacks

- and of course tons of anticoagulants to keep the blood flowing 🩸

The tick pictured here is the Lone Star tick, aka Amblyomma americanum. It's an impressively long feeder, capable of remaining attached to its human host (you!) for weeks at a time. This ability to persist and silently feed reflects an immense amount of evolutionary engineering.

An illustration of the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum

The best immunologists on Earth don't have PhDs. They're parasites.

Today's spotlight 🧵(and big inspo for @ dittobio): ticks!

And if you like this, stay tuned because we will be sharing cool parasite facts each week #TickTalk

Thanks Luuk!

Alternatively, if you do get infected lmk 👀

🚀 So awesome to get to build together 🧬

Inaugural Bluesky post! 🦋

Last May I quit my job to start Ditto Bio with Emily Weiss and @mezarque.bsky.social We turn parasite molecules into drugs for autoimmune disease, and we are now backed by @ycombinator.com.web.brid.gy

Stay tuned 👀