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Understanding the evolutionary origins and development of animal body plans is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. The pentaradiate echinoderms, derived from a bilateral chordate ancestor, are challenging, as is their bilateral-to-radial transformation as metamorphosis. We investigate the origin of the echinoderm body plan through research on the temporal and spatial expression patterns of neurogenic genes with a focus on the pan-metazoan homeobox genes including: the Hox gene complex, engrailed and Otx.
We are documenting the expression of these genes during the transition to radial symmetry to determine their role in specifying the developing pentameral nervous system. This requires RT-PCR and in situ hybridisation. We are determining the conserved features of neurogenesis and those genes that may be co-opted to new roles associated with evolution of pentamery. Morphogenesis and gene expression in the developing echinoderm CNS is being compared to that in insects and chordates to determine if gene expression in echinoderms, a basal deuterostome taxon, can provide insights into ancestral patterns of nervous system development. |
- CNS Specification & Pentamery in Echinoderms |
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Integrative Biology and Evolution of Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates |
Evo-Devo and Echinoderm Development |