A5087778274- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- High Altitude and Hypoxia
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
North Carolina State University
2023-2025
Eastern New Mexico University
2019-2022
Texas Tech University
2017-2020
Mississippi State University
2013-2019
Charles University
2019
Temple University
2018
Evolutionary Genomics (United States)
2018
Texas State University
2012
To provide context for the diversification of archosaurs--the group that includes crocodilians, dinosaurs, and birds--we generated draft genomes three crocodilians: Alligator mississippiensis (the American alligator), Crocodylus porosus saltwater crocodile), Gavialis gangeticus Indian gharial). We observed an exceptionally slow rate genome evolution within crocodilians at all levels, including nucleotide substitutions, indels, transposable element content movement, gene family evolution,...
Snakes possess many extreme morphological and physiological adaptations. Identification of the molecular basis these traits can provide novel understanding for vertebrate biology medicine. Here, we study snake using genome sequence Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), a model metabolic adaptation. We compare king cobra genomes along with genomic samples from other snakes perform transcriptome analysis to gain insights into phenotypes python. discovered rapid massive transcriptional...
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...
Abstract Several lines of evidence point to a key role the hippocampus in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Altered hippocampal volume and deficits memory for person emotion related stimuli have been reported, along with enhanced ability declarative memories. Mouse models demonstrated critical social dysfunction, associated ASD, together decreased synaptic plasticity. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), family extracellular matrix molecules, represent potential link between...
The rapid diversification of Myotis bats into more than 100 species is one the most extensive mammalian radiations available for study. Efforts to understand relationships within have primarily utilized mitochondrial markers and trees inferred from nuclear lacked resolution. Our current understanding therefore biased towards a set phylogenetic that may not reflect history genome. To resolve this, we sequenced full genomes 37 representative Myotis, New World, in conjunction with targeted...
Vesper bats (family Vespertilionidae) experienced a rapid adaptive radiation beginning around 36 Ma that resulted in the second most species-rich mammalian family (>400 species). Coincident with was an initial burst of DNA transposon activity has continued into present some species. Such extensive and recent not been seen any other extant mammal. Indeed, retrotransposon is much more common all sequenced mammal genomes. Deep sequencing small RNA fraction from vespertilionid bat, Eptesicus...
ABSTRACT Background Familial narcolepsy in dogs has been associated with mutations the HCRTR2 gene Labrador retrievers, dachshunds, and Doberman pinschers, causal mutation differing between breeds. Objective To characterize genetic responsible for familial Dogo Argentino dogs. Animals Ten dogs, three narcoleptic seven clinically normal, of which four were related unrelated to Methods Case control prospective study. DNA was extracted from blood samples all Whole‐genome sequencing performed on...
Olfactory receptors (ORs) are membrane proteins that mediate the detection of odorants in environment, and largest vertebrate gene family. Comparative studies mammalian genomes indicate OR repertoires vary widely, even between closely related lineages, as a consequence frequent gains losses. Several also suggest influenced by life history traits. Sauropsida is diverse group vertebrates sister to mammals, includes birds, testudines, squamates, crocodilians, represents natural system explore...
PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are part of a cellular pathway that has evolved to protect genomes against the proliferation transposable elements (TEs). PIWIs piRNAs assemble into complexes involved in epigenetic post-transcriptional repression TEs. Most our understanding mechanisms piRNA-mediated TE silencing comes from fruit fly mouse models. However, even these well-studied animals it is unclear how piRNA responses relate variable expression whether strength response...
Unregulated commercial harvest remains a major threat for turtles across the globe. Due to continuing demand from Asian markets, significant number of are exported United States America (US). Beginning in 2007, several southeastern states US implemented restrictions on turtles, order address unsustainable take. We have summarized freshwater turtle exports between 2002 and 2012 demonstrated that magnitude remained high although decreased throughout decade. Louisiana California were exporters....
Dietary shifts can result in changes to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota, leading negative outcomes for host, including inflammation. Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are physiologically classified as carnivores; however, they consume an herbivorous diet with dramatic seasonal dietary and episodes of chronic GIT distress symptoms abdominal pain, loss appetite excretion mucous stools (mucoids). These adversely affect overall nutritional health status giant pandas. Here, we...
Essential for calcium homeostasis, TRPV5 and TRPV6 are calcium-selective channels belonging to the transient receptor potential (TRP) gene family. In this study, we investigated evolutionary history of these add an context already available physiological information. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that paralogs found in mammals, sauropsids, amphibians, chondrichthyes, product independent duplication events ancestor each group. Within amniotes, identified a traceable signature three amino...
Studying the evolutionary history of gene families is a challenging and exciting task with wide range implications. In addition to exploring fundamental questions about origin evolution genes, disentangling their also critical those who do functional/structural studies allow deeper more precise interpretation results in an context. The sirtuin family group genes that are involved variety biological functions mostly related aging. Their duplicative open question, as well definition repertoire...
The genes that encode the α- and β-chain subunits of vertebrate hemoglobin have served as a model system for elucidating general principles gene family evolution, but little is known about patterns evolution in amniotes other than mammals birds. Here, we report comparative genomic analysis β-globin clusters sauropsids (archosaurs nonavian reptiles). objectives were to characterize changes size membership composition families within among major sauropsid lineages, reconstruct evolutionary...
The genes in the Myb superfamily encode for three related transcription factors most vertebrates, A-, B-, and c-Myb, with functionally distinct roles, whereas invertebrates have a single Myb. B-Myb plays an essential role cell division cycle progression, c-Myb is involved hematopoiesis, A-Myb spermatogenesis regulating expression of pachytene PIWI interacting RNAs, class small RNAs posttranscriptional gene regulation maintenance reproductive tissues. Comparisons between teleost fish...
The leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) are outliers among chiropterans with respect to the unusually high diversity of dietary strategies within family. Salivary glands, owing their functions and ultrastructural variability lineages, proposed have played an important role during phyllostomid radiation. To identify genes underlying salivary gland functional diversification, we sequenced submandibular transcriptomes from species representative divergent strategies. From assembled transcriptomes,...
The lower Rio Grande and Pecos River of the southwest United States have been heavily modified by human activities, profoundly impacting integrity their aquatic wildlife. In this context, we focused our study on population genomics Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), a freshwater turtle increasing conservation concern, residing in these two rivers tributaries. genetic data revealed distinct populations: one Black Rivers New Mexico another Devils Texas, with admixed individuals identified at...
PIWIs are regulatory proteins that belong to the Argonaute family. Piwis primarily expressed in gonads and protect germline against mobilization propagation of transposable elements (TEs) through transcriptional gene silencing. Vertebrate genomes encode up four Piwi genes: Piwil1, Piwil2, Piwil3 Piwil4, but their duplication history is unresolved. We leveraged phylogenetics, synteny expression analyses address this void. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests Piwil1 Piwil2 were retained all...
Among the numerous lineages of teleost fish that have independently transitioned from obligate water-breathing to facultative air-breathing, evolved properties hemoglobin (Hb)-O2 transport may been shaped by prevalence and severity aquatic hypoxia (which influences extent which are compelled switch aerial respiration) as well anatomical design air-breathing structures cardiovascular system. Here we examine structure function Hbs in an amphibious, fish, blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus...