A5054623609- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Marine and environmental studies
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Connexins and lens biology
University of Bergen
2012-2024
University of Hawaii System
2008-2010
Bioscience Research
2010
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2010
The Base of the Animal Tree? identity most basal lineages animal kingdom evolutionary tree has long been contested. Ryan et al. (p. 10.1126/science.1242592 ; see Perspective by Rokas ) sequenced genome ctenophore warty comb jelly or sea walnut, Mnemiopsis leidyi , and conclude that ctenophores alone, not sponges clade consisting both cnidarians, are extant animals. results suggest a specific process likely occurred—including repeated gains loss mesoderm, expansion genes associated with cell...
The much-debated phylogenetic relationships of the five early branching metazoan lineages (Bilateria, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Placozoa and Porifera) are fundamental importance in piecing together events that occurred animal evolution. Comparisons gene content between organismal have been identified as a potentially useful methodology for reconstruction. However, these comparisons require complete genomes that, until now, did not exist ctenophore lineage. homeobox superfamily genes is...
Abstract Background Calcium-activated photoproteins are luciferase variants found in photocyte cells of bioluminescent jellyfish (Phylum Cnidaria) and comb jellies Ctenophora). The complete genomic sequence from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi , a representative earliest branch animals that emit light, provided an opportunity to examine genome organism uses this class for bioluminescence look genes involved light reception. To determine when photoprotein first arose, we examined other...
The Sox genes, a family of transcription factors characterized by the presence high mobility group (HMG) box domain, are among central groups developmental regulators in animal kingdom. They indispensable progenitor cell fate determination, and various members involved managing critical balance between stem cells differentiating cells. There 20 mammalian genes that divided into five major (B, C, D, E, F). True have been identified all lineages but not outside Metazoa, indicating this gene...
Gains and losses shape the gene complement of animal lineages are a fundamental aspect genomic evolution. Acquiring comprehensive view evolution repertoires is limited by intrinsic limitations common sequence similarity searches available databases. Thus, subset an organism consists hidden orthologs, i.e., those with no apparent homology to sequenced lineages—mistakenly considered new genes—but actually representing rapidly evolving orthologs or undetected paralogs. Here, we describe...
The bilaterian through gut with an anal opening is a key invention in animals, since it facilitates effective food processing, which allows animals to grow larger body size. However, because non-bilaterian lack gut, the evolution of anus still debated. formation hindgut governed by spatial expression several transcription factors (e.g. Caudal and Brachyury) under control Wnt signaling. This conserved pattern has been used support homology protostomes (insects, snails) deuterostomes (sea...
INTRODUCTIONCtenophores, or comb jellies, are a group of marine organisms whose unique biological features and phylogenetic placement make them key taxon for understanding animal evolution. These gelatinous creatures clearly distinct from cnidarian medusae (i.e., jellyfish). Key present in the ctenophore body plan include biradial symmetry, an oral-aboral axis delimited by mouth apical sensory organ, two tentacles, eight rows composed interconnected cilia, thick mesoglea. Other morphological...
Nervous systems are thought to be important the evolutionary success and diversification of metazoans, yet little is known about origin simple nervous at base animal tree. Recent data suggest that ctenophores, a group macroscopic pelagic marine invertebrates, most ancient animals possess definitive system consisting distributed nerve net an apical statocyst. This study reports on details evolution neural cell type specifying transcription factor family LIM homeobox containing genes (Lhx),...
An essential developmental pathway in sexually reproducing animals is the specification of germ cells and differentiation mature gametes, sperm oocytes. The "germline" genes vasa, nanos piwi are commonly identified primordial cells, suggesting a molecular signature for germline throughout animals. However, these also expressed diverse set somatic stem animal kingdom leaving open significant questions whether they required specification. Similarly, members Dmrt gene family components...
Ctenophores are marine organisms attracting significant attention from evolutionary, molecular biology and ecological research. Here we describe an easy affordable set-up to maintain a stable culture of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi. The challenging delicacy lobate ctenophores can be met by monitoring water quality, providing right nutrition, adapting handling tank their fragile gelatinous body plan. Following this protocol allows laboratory lines, continuous supply embryos for biological...
Abstract Gains and losses shape the gene complement of animal lineages are a fundamental aspect genomic evolution. Acquiring comprehensive view evolution repertoires is limited by intrinsic limitations common sequence similarity searches available databases. Thus, subset an organism consists hidden orthologs, those with no apparent homology sequenced –mistakenly considered new genes– but actually representing rapidly evolving orthologs or undetected paralogs. Here, we describe Leapfrog,...