Embryogenesis is fascinating. Cells divide, migrate, and change shape; tissues grow, bend, and invaginate; until in some way, a whole organism arises with functional organs in place. How embryos create form and build themselves from a single cell remains one of the biggest questions in biology. My research focuses on a follow-up—how does embryonic development evolve?
I want to understand the factors driving and shaping evolutionary change (and novelty) in early embryogenesis, from axial patterning to tissue morphogenesis. I’m currently investigating how the crosstalk between fate specification, epithelial morphogenesis, and tissue mechanics, played a role in the evolution of the head–trunk boundary of bilaterians.
Current projects
Role of tissue mechanics in the evolution of development
Evolutionary mechanobiology and morphogenesis of the head–trunk boundary in flies and beyond
Patterning and morphogenesis of the head–trunk boundary
Cephalic furrow development and function in Drosophila
Early cell fate specification in annelids
Transcriptional profile of early blastomeres in Platynereis
Previous projects
Evolution of body segmentation in bilaterians
Molecular patterning of body boundaries in brachiopods
Evolution of cleavage patterns in spiralians
Cell lineage and molecular patterning in bryozoans
Evolution of bilateral symmetry in pentaradial echinoderms
Embryonic, larval, and juvenile development in sea biscuits
