A5018353947- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Helminth infection and control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Plant and animal studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Genomics and Rare Diseases
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Heat shock proteins research
Max Planck Institute for Biology
2022-2025
Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology
2015-2024
Center of Advanced European Studies and Research
2021
Max Planck Society
2007-2015
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
2009-2013
Berlin-Brandenburger Centrum für Regenerative Therapien
2009-2013
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics
2009-2011
Wellcome Sanger Institute
2010
Abstract Large-scale genome-structural evolution is common in various organisms. Recent developments speciation genomics revealed the importance of inversions, whereas role other rearrangements, including chromosome fusions, have not been well characterized. We study genomic divergence and reproductive isolation closely related nematodes: androdioecious (hermaphroditic) model Pristionchus pacificus its dioecious sister species exspectatus . A chromosome-level genome assembly P. using...
Developmental plasticity has been suggested to facilitate phenotypic diversity, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are little understood. We analyzed a feeding dimorphism in Pristionchus nematodes whereby one of two alternative adult mouth forms is executed after an irreversible developmental decision. By integrating genetics with functional tests phenotypically divergent populations and species, we identified regulator plasticity, eud-1, that acts switch. eud-1...
Self-recognition is observed abundantly throughout the natural world, regulating diverse biological processes. Although ubiquitous, often little known of associated molecular machinery, and so far, organismal self-recognition has never been described in nematodes. We investigated predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus and, through interactions with its prey, revealed a mechanism acting on surface, capable distinguishing self-progeny from closely related strains. identified small peptide...
The nematode Pristionchus pacificus is an established model for integrative evolutionary biology and comparative studies with Caenorhabditis elegans. While existing genome draft facilitated the identification of several genes controlling various developmental processes, its high degree fragmentation complicated virtually all genomic analyses. Here, we present a de novo assembly from single-molecule, long-read sequencing data consisting 135 P. contigs. When combined genetic linkage map, 99%...
Diversification is commonly understood to be the divergence of phenotypes accompanying that lineages. In contrast, alternative arising from a single genotype are almost exclusively limited dimorphism in nature. We report remarkable case macroevolutionary-scale diversification without genetic divergence. Upon colonizing island-like microecosystem individual figs, symbiotic nematodes genus Pristionchus accumulated polyphenism with up five discrete adult morphotypes per species. By integrating...
The model organism Pristionchus pacificus and the genus Pristionchus, Kreis, 1932 have been intensively studied in last decade with contemporary work focusing on development, evolution, ecology, behavior, neurobiology, genomics of this group organisms. In particular, mechanistic studies development evolution mouth-form plasticity, predation associated self-recognition processes enabled unique insight into life history strategies novelty. These include a comparative research agenda making use...
Abstract Motivation: Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of resequencing and single nucleotide variant (SNV) detection by deep short-read sequencing platforms. While several reliable algorithms are available for automated SNV detection, microindels in data presents a new bioinformatics challenge. Results: We systematically analyzed how mapping tools MAQ, Bowtie, Burrows-Wheeler alignment tool (BWA), Novoalign RazerS perform on simulated datasets that contain indels...
The hermaphroditic nematode Pristionchus pacificus is an established model system for comparative studies with Caenorhabditis elegans in developmental biology, ecology, and population genetics. In this study, we present whole-genome sequencing data of 104 P. strains the draft assembly obligate outcrossing sister species exspectatus. We characterize genetic diversity within investigate processes shaping diversity. 10 times more diverse than C. exhibits substantial structure that allows us to...
Switching between alternative complex phenotypes is often regulated by "supergenes," polymorphic clusters of linked genes such as in butterfly mimicry. In contrast, phenotypic plasticity results controlled environmental influences rather than polymorphisms. Here, we show that the developmental switch gene regulating predatory versus non-predatory mouth-form nematode Pristionchus pacificus part a multi-gene locus containing two sulfatases and α-N-acetylglucosaminidases (nag). We provide...
The widespread identification of genes without detectable homology in related taxa is a hallmark genome sequencing projects animals, together with the abundance gene duplications. Such have been called novel, young, taxon-restricted, or orphans, but little known about mechanisms accounting for their origin, age, and mode evolution. Phylogenomic studies relying on deep systematic taxon sampling using comparative method can provide insight into evolutionary dynamics acting novel genes. We used...
Environment shapes development through a phenomenon called developmental plasticity. Deciphering its genetic basis has potential to shed light on the origin of novel traits and adaptation environmental change. However, molecular studies are scarce, little is known about mechanisms associated with We investigated gene regulatory network controlling predatory vs. non-predatory dimorphism in nematode Pristionchus pacificus found that it consists genes extremely different age classes. isolated...
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multi-system disease caused by mutations in the NF1 gene encoding Ras-GAP protein, neurofibromin, which negatively regulates Ras signaling. Besides neuroectodermal malformations and tumors, skeletal system often affected (e.g. scoliosis long bone dysplasia) demonstrating importance of neurofibromin for development maintenance musculoskeletal system. Here, we focus on role muscle development. Nf1 inactivation early limb bud mesenchyme using Prx1-cre...
Many nematodes form dauer larvae when exposed to unfavorable conditions, representing an example of phenotypic plasticity and a major survival dispersal strategy. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the regulation induction is model for pheromone, insulin, steroid-hormone signaling. Recent studies in Pristionchus pacificus revealed substantial natural variation various aspects development, i.e. pheromone production sensing longevity fitness. One intriguing strain from Ohio, having extremely...
Phenotypic plasticity has been suggested to act through developmental switches, but little is known about associated molecular mechanisms. In the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, sulfatase eud-1 was identified as part of a switch controlling mouth-form governing predatory versus bacteriovorous decision. Here we show that mutations in conserved histone-acetyltransferase Ppa-lsy-12 and methyl-binding-protein Ppa-mbd-2 mimic phenotype, resulting absence one mouth-form. Mutations both genes...
Abstract Although the microbiota is known to affect host development, metabolism, and immunity, its impact on behavior only beginning be understood. In order better characterize modulation by host-associated microorganisms, we investigated how bacteria modulate complex behaviors in nematode model organism Pristionchus pacificus. This a predator that feeds larvae of other nematodes, including Caenorhabditis elegans. By growing P. pacificus different testing their ability kill C. elegans,...
Abstract Background Current genome sequencing projects reveal substantial numbers of taxonomically restricted, so called orphan genes that lack homology with from other evolutionary lineages. However, it is not clear to what extent are real, genomic artifacts, or represent non-coding RNAs. Results Here, we use a simple set assumptions test the nature genes. First, sequence transcribed considered real biological entity. Second, every supported by proteome data shows depletion non-synonymous...
Homology is a fundamental concept in comparative biology. It extensively used at the sequence level to make phylogenetic hypotheses and functional inferences. Nonetheless, majority of eukaryotic genomes contain large numbers orphan genes lacking homologs other taxa. Generally, fraction higher genomically undersampled clades, absence closely related any hypothesis about their origin evolution remains untestable. Previously, we sequenced ten with an underlying ladder-like phylogeny establish...