vds-ecology-evolution

Neuroscience and Developmental Biology

Neuroscience and Developmental Biology is an interdisciplinary field that examines the evolution, organisation and functionality of complex biological systems, with a particular emphasis on the development and organisation of nervous systems and body plans. Research in this domain involves the investigation of the genetic, cellular, and developmental mechanisms that underpin the formation of structures and their functional integration.

Approaches encompass experimental and comparative studies across a broad spectrum of model and non-model organisms, integrating molecular biology, imaging techniques, and functional analyses. This facilitates researchers in elucidating the mechanisms through which developmental processes are regulated and how alterations in these processes can result in variations in form and function.

A fundamental objective is to establish a correlation between developmental processes and evolutionary innovation by comprehending the manner in which alterations in developmental pathways contribute to evolutionary innovation. This theoretical framework provides significant insights into the origins of biological complexity and the diversification of organisms across the course of evolution.

Supervisors

Mag. Dr.

Grigory Genikhovich

Privatdoz.

Head of the Genikhovich Lab
Member of the Molecular Evolution and Development Research Group

Research Areas 

  • Evolution of molecular mechanisms controlling animal body axes
  • Axial patterning in Nematostella vectensis as a model system
  • Gene regulatory networks underlying body axis formation
  • Role of Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling in patterning
  • Evolution of bilaterality and axial organization in early animals

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Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Oleg Simakov

Head of the Simakov Lab
Member of the Molecular Evolution and Development Research Group

Research Areas 

  • Conserved and novel gene linkages across metazoans
  • Non-coding regulatory elements
  • Evolutionary dynamics via comparative genomics and modeling
  • Development of molecular tools
  • Functional role in development and clade-specific innovation

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Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr.

Ulrich Technau

Head of the Technau Lab
Member of the Molecular Evolution and Development Research Group

Research Areas 

  • EvoDevo
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Basal metazoa
  • Cnidaria
  • Germ layer evolution
  • Neuro-muscular systems

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Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Thomas Hummel

Head of the Neurobiology Research Group

Research Areas 

  • Sensory system development and function in arthropods
  • Molecular-genetic control of visual and olfactory system formation (Drosophila)
  • Brain asymmetry and lateralization of neural circuits
  • Genetic and non-genetic regulation of neural circuit organization
  • Neural mechanisms linking environmental input to behavior

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PhD Students

Oliver Link

Project: The origin and evolution of striated muscle cells in Metazoa

Supervisor: Ulrich Technau

Zhongyi Sun

Project: Deriving the Evolutionary Origin of Animal Neural System

Supervisor: Ulrich Technau & Alison Cole

Daria Filimonova

Project: Tracking Zooplankton Biodiversity across the Alps (ZAB

Supervisor: Grigory Genikhovich

Mayline Goëb

Project: The role of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in patterning the inner cell layer of a sea anemone embryo

Supervisor: Grigory Genikhovich

ResearchGate

Lisa Rouressol

Project: Genomic novelty underlying symbiotic organ evolution in botail squids

Supervisor: Oleg Simakov

Mirela Król

Project: 

Supervisor: Oleg Simakov

Daniel Mitic

Project: Beyond single gene function: Neural circuit asymmetry as a complex trait

Supervisor: Thomas Hummel

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