A5055872492- interferon and immune responses
- Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Pancreatic function and diabetes
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- MicroRNA in disease regulation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
University of Colorado Boulder
2020-2024
University of Colorado System
2022
The University of Texas at Arlington
2016-2020
Museo Civico di Zoologia
2015
Broad paradigms of vertebrate genomic repeat element evolution have been largely shaped by analyses mammalian and avian genomes. Here, based on genomes sequenced from over 60 squamate reptiles (lizards snakes), we show that patterns landscape in squamates challenge such paradigms. Despite low variance genome size, exhibit surprisingly high variation among species abundance (ca. 25-73% the genome) composition identifiable elements. We also demonstrate snake experienced microsatellite seeding...
Colubridae represents the most phenotypically diverse and speciose family of snakes, yet no well-assembled annotated genome exists for this lineage. Here, we report analyze garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, a colubrid snake that is an important model species research in evolutionary biology, physiology, genomics, behavior, evolution toxin resistance. Using genome, show how snakes have evolved numerous adaptations sensing securing prey, identify features structure provide insight into...
Meiotic recombination in vertebrates is concentrated hotspots throughout the genome. The location and stability of have been linked to presence or absence PRDM9, leading two primary models for hotspot evolution derived from mammals birds. Species with PRDM9-directed rapid turnover intergenic regions (i.e., mammals), whereas species lacking PRDM9 are functional greater over time birds). Snakes possess yet virtually nothing known about snake recombination. Here, we examine landscape test...
Innate immune signaling is essential for clearing pathogens and damaged cells must be tightly regulated to avoid excessive inflammation or autoimmunity. Here, we found that the alternative splicing of exons derived from transposable elements a key mechanism controlling in human cells. By analyzing long-read transcriptome datasets, identified numerous transposon exonization events predicted generate functional protein variants genes, including type I interferon receptor IFNAR2. We...
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a major fraction of vertebrate genomes, yet little is known about their expression and regulation across tissues, how this varies lineages. We present the first comparative analysis integrating TE regulatory pathway activity in somatic gametic tissues for diverse set 12 vertebrates. conduct simultaneous gene analyses to characterize patterns vertebrates examine relationships between these features. find remarkable variation genes involved negative...
Understanding how regulatory mechanisms evolve is critical for understanding the processes that give rise to novel phenotypes. Snake venom systems represent a valuable and tractable model testing hypotheses related evolution of networks, yet underlying production remain poorly understood. Here, we use functional genomics approaches investigate architecture in prairie rattlesnake identify cis -regulatory sequences (enhancers promoters), trans transcription factors, integrated signaling...
Invasive species provide powerful in situ experimental systems for studying evolution response to selective pressures novel habitats. While research has shown that phenotypic can occur rapidly nature, few examples exist of genomewide adaptation on short "ecological" timescales. Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) have become a successful and impactful invasive Florida over the last 30 years despite major freeze events caused high python mortality. We sampled before after event 2010...
Abstract Identifying the processes that lead to evolution and maintenance of links between colour morphs behavioural strategies has implications for reproductive isolation sympatric speciation. Sexual selection may play a significant role in pattern complexity reptiles, particularly when there are fitness consequences associated with mating males different morphs. In this article, we explored if common wall lizard females ( Podarcis muralis ) actively select according their morph...
Abstract The study of recently diverged lineages whose geographical ranges come into contact can provide insight the early stages speciation and potential roles reproductive isolation in generating maintaining species. Such also be important for understanding strategies challenges delimiting species within complexes. Here, we use mitochondrial nuclear genetic data to population structure, gene flow demographic history across a geographically widespread rattlesnake clade, western complex...
Convergent evolution is often documented in organisms inhabiting isolated environments with distinct ecological conditions and similar selective regimes. Several Central America islands harbor dwarf Boa populations that are characterized by differences growth, mass, craniofacial morphology, which linked to the shared arboreal feast-famine ecology of these island populations. Using high-density RADseq data, we inferred three independent origins demonstrate selection, along genetic drift, has...
Several snake species that feed infrequently in nature have evolved the ability to massively upregulate intestinal form and function with each meal. While fasting, these snakes downregulate function, upon feeding restore structure through major increases cell growth proliferation, metabolism upregulation of digestive function. Previous studies identified changes gene expression underlie this regenerative python intestine, but unique features differentiate extreme from non-regenerative...
Innate immune signaling is essential for clearing pathogens and damaged cells, must be tightly regulated to avoid excessive inflammation or autoimmunity. Here, we found that the alternative splicing of exons derived from transposable elements a key mechanism controlling in human cells. By analyzing long-read transcriptome datasets, identified numerous transposon exonization events predicted generate functional protein variants genes, including type I interferon receptor IFNAR2. We...
Alu exonization, or the recruitment of intronic elements into gene sequences, has contributed to functional diversification; however, its extent and ways in which it influences regulation are not fully understood. We developed an unbiased approach predict exonization events from genomic sequences implemented a deep learning model, eXAlu, that overcomes limitations tissue condition specificity computational burden RNA-seq analysis. The model captures previously reported characteristics...
Abstract Sex chromosomes diverge after the establishment of recombination suppression, resulting in differential sex-linkage genes involved genetic sex determination and dimorphic traits. This process produces systems male or female heterogamety wherein Y W are only present one often highly degenerated. Sex-limited contain valuable information about evolutionary transition from autosomes to chromosomes, yet detailed characterizations structure, composition, gene content sex-limited lacking...
Abstract Background Bats are a major reservoir of zoonotic viruses, and there has been growing interest in characterizing bat-specific features innate immunity inflammation. Recent studies have revealed adaptations affecting interferon (IFN) signaling IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), but we still limited understanding the genetic mechanisms that shaped evolution bat immunity. Here investigated transcriptional epigenetic dynamics transposable elements (TEs) during type I IFN response little brown...
ABSTRACT Background Bats are a major reservoir of zoonotic viruses, and there has been growing interest in characterizing bat-specific features innate immunity inflammation. Recent studies have revealed adaptations affecting interferon (IFN) signaling IFN- stimulated genes (ISGs), but we still limited understanding the genetic mechanisms that shaped evolution bat immunity. Here investigated transcriptional epigenetic dynamics transposable elements (TEs) during type I IFN response little...