A5028693116- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Machine Learning in Bioinformatics
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Connexins and lens biology
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
University of Minnesota
2022-2024
University of California, Irvine
2014-2023
Twin Cities Orthopedics
2023
Harvard University Press
2020-2022
Harvard University
2009-2022
Center for Systems Biology
2017
While the ecological factors that drive phenotypic radiations are often well understood, less is known about generative mechanisms cause emergence and subsequent diversification of novel features. Heliconius butterflies display an extraordinary diversity wing patterns due in part to mimicry sexual selection. Identifying genetic drivers this crucible evolution now within reach, as it was recently shown cis-regulatory variation optix transcription factor explains red pattern differences...
Most butterfly families expand the number of spectrally-distinct photoreceptors in their compound eye by opsin gene duplications together with lateral filter pigments, however most nymphalid genera have limited diversity, only three or four spectral types photoreceptor. Here we examine spatial pattern expression and photoreceptor sensitivities Heliconius erato, a duplicate ultraviolet genes, UVRh1 UVRh2. We find that H. erato is sexually dimorphic. Females express two UV proteins separate...
Numerous animal lineages have expanded and diversified the opsin-based photoreceptors in their eyes underlying color vision behavior. However, selective pressures giving rise to new spectral tuning remain mostly obscure. Previously, we identified a violet receptor (UV2) that is result of UV opsin gene duplication specific Heliconius butterflies. At same time evolved, evolved UV-yellow coloration on wings, due pigment 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHK) nanostructure architecture scale cells. In...
The evolution of color vision is often studied through the lens receptor gain relative to an ancestor with fewer spectral classes photoreceptor. For instance, in Heliconius butterflies, a genus-specific UVRh opsin duplication led UV discrimination erato females, rare trait among butterflies. However, not well understood context loss. In melpomene and ismenius lineages, UV2 subtype has been lost, which limits female shorter wavelengths. Here, we compare visual systems butterflies that have...
Abstract Background Opsins are the primary proteins responsible for light detection in animals. Cnidarians (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals) have diverse visual systems that evolved parallel with bilaterians (squid, flies, fish) hundreds of millions years. Medusozoans (e.g., jellyfish, hydroids) eyes multiple times, each time independently incorporating distinct opsin orthologs. Anthozoans corals, anemones,) light-mediated behaviors and, despite being eyeless, exhibit more extensive...
Abstract Background Across the Metazoa, similar genetic programs are found in development of analogous, independently evolved, morphological features. The functional significance this reuse and underlying mechanisms co-option remain unclear. Cephalopods have evolved a highly acute visual system with cup-shaped retina novel refractive lens anterior, important for number sophisticated behaviors including predation, mating, camouflage. Almost nothing is known about molecular-genetics...
The acquisition of novel sexually dimorphic traits poses an evolutionary puzzle: How do new arise and become sex-limited? Recently acquired color vision, in animals like primates butterflies, presents a compelling model for understanding how sex-biased. For example, some Heliconius butterflies uniquely possess UV (ultraviolet) which correlates with the expression two differentially tuned UV-sensitive rhodopsins, UVRh1 UVRh2. To discover such dimorphic, we studied charithonia, exhibits...
In nearly all animals, light-sensing mediated by opsin visual pigments is important for survival and reproduction. Eyeless systems, though vital many have received relatively less attention than forms with charismatic or complex eyes. Despite no single organ, the sea anemone
Intracellular recording is a powerful technique used to determine how single cell may respond given stimulus. In vision research, intracellular has historically been common study sensitivities of individual photoreceptor cells different light stimuli that still being today. However, there remains dearth detailed methodology in the literature for researchers wishing replicate experiments eye. Here we present insect as model examining eye physiology more generally. Insect are located near...
The cephalopod visual system is an exquisite example of convergence in biological complexity. However, we have little understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underpinning its elaboration. generation new material considered a significant contributor to evolution novelty. We sought understand if this mechanism may be contributing cephalopod-specific novelties. Specifically, identified duplications Krüppel-like factor/specificity protein (KLF/SP) sub-family C2H2 zinc-finger...
Opsin-mediated phototransduction cascades in photoreceptor cells are primarily responsible for light-mediated behaviors animals. Although some visual well-studied, mediated by non-visual opsins and non-model animal lineages poorly characterized. In the Cnidaria (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones etc.), sister group to Bilateria (vertebrates, arthropods, mollusks limited evidence suggests overlap with bilaterian phototransduction. This raises question of whether pathways arose a single time...
The lens plays an important role in the development of optic cup. Using zebrafish as a model organism, questions regarding can be addressed. is useful for genetic studies due to several advantageous characteristics, including small size, high fecundity, short lifecycle, and ease care. Lens occurs rapidly zebrafish. By 72 hpf, functionally mature. Abundant molecular resources are available support research In addition, similarity eye those other vertebrates provides basis its use excellent...
Vertebrate (cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein) and Drosophila (prolonged depolarization afterpotential is not apparent [PINTA]) proteins with a CRAL-TRIO domain transport retinal-based chromophores that bind to opsin are necessary for phototransduction. The gene family composed of genes encode common N-terminal structural domain. Although there an expansion this in Lepidoptera, no lepidopteran ortholog pinta. Further, the function these lepidopterans has yet been established. Here, we...
Abstract Color vision modifications occur in animals via a process known as spectral tuning. In Heliconius butterflies, genus-specific UVRh opsin duplication led to the evolution of UV color discrimination erato females, rare trait among butterflies. H. melpomene and ismenius lineages, UV2 receptor has been lost. Here we compare how loss photoreceptor altered visual system these We three butterfly species using combination intracellular recordings, ATAC-seq, antibody staining. identify...
Abstract Butterflies have photoreceptor cells that are sensitive to the ultraviolet part of spectrum due ultraviolet-sensitive rhodopsin ( UVRh ), a gene has been duplicated in Heliconius genus. In individuals expressing UVRh1 and UVRh2, electrophysiological behavioral studies demonstrate these opsin proteins enable discrimination UV wavelengths. This trait varies between species, being absent H. melpomene limited females erato . To identify evolutionary origins this trait, we first examined...
Intracellular recording is a powerful technique used to determine how single cell may respond given stimulus. In vision research, intracellular has historically been common study sensitivities of individual photoreceptor cells different light stimuli that still being today. However, there remains dearth detailed methodology in the literature for researchers wishing replicate experiments eye. Here we present insect as model examining eye physiology more generally. Insect are located near...
Abstract Background Opsins are the primary proteins responsible for light detection in animals. Cnidarians (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals) have diverse visual systems that evolved parallel with bilaterians (squid, flies, fish) hundreds of millions years. Medusozoans (e.g. jellyfish, hydroids) eyes multiple times, each time independently incorporating distinct opsin orthologs. Anthozoans corals, anemones,) light-mediated behaviors and, despite being eyeless, exhibit more extensive...
Abstract Opsin-mediated phototransduction cascades in photoreceptor cells are primarily responsible for light-mediated behaviors animals. Although some visual well-studied, mediated by non-visual opsins and non-model animal lineages poorly characterized. In the Cnidaria (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones etc.), sister group to Bilateria (vertebrates, arthropods, mollusks limited evidence suggests overlap with bilaterian phototransduction. This raises question of whether pathways arose a single...