Evolution of environmental regulation of cell states in animal life cycles. This project seeks to understand how the environment influences the fate of cells over an animal's life, and how this influence originated in animal evolution. Using a homegrown Australian model, a sea sponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and advanced multi-omic approaches (genomics plus cell biology), this project aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying global cell state changes that are induced through the interplay o ....Evolution of environmental regulation of cell states in animal life cycles. This project seeks to understand how the environment influences the fate of cells over an animal's life, and how this influence originated in animal evolution. Using a homegrown Australian model, a sea sponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and advanced multi-omic approaches (genomics plus cell biology), this project aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying global cell state changes that are induced through the interplay of environmental and endogenous signals at metamorphosis. Because of the evolutionary position of sponges, outcomes of this project expect to reveal the cardinal rules governing environmentally-induced cell state changes that are obligatory for most animals to complete their complex life cycles.Read moreRead less
Marine sponge–microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity. This project aims to address how the animal innate immune system evolved to discriminate between potential pathogens versus beneficial symbionts by studying a marine sponge holobiont. Using advanced genomic and cellular approaches, the project will uncover deeply conserved regulatory pathways used by the cells of sponges, humans and other animals, and thereby identify cardinal rules governing animal innate immunity and ....Marine sponge–microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity. This project aims to address how the animal innate immune system evolved to discriminate between potential pathogens versus beneficial symbionts by studying a marine sponge holobiont. Using advanced genomic and cellular approaches, the project will uncover deeply conserved regulatory pathways used by the cells of sponges, humans and other animals, and thereby identify cardinal rules governing animal innate immunity and its evolutionary origin. The project will provide an understanding of how beneficial microbial symbionts are recruited and maintained by animals, and are instrumental to the health of our environment and all its inhabitants.Read moreRead less