An essential aim of biology is to determine the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic differences between species, particularly mechanisms that underlie the origin of new anatomical structures (‘evolutionary novelties’) and biological functions (‘evolutionary innovations’). The goal of our research is to develop explanations for how morphological characters evolve, and how the developmental and evolutionary origins of those characters influences their (dys)function and suseptibility to disease.
Evolution of Cancer resistance and aging
Some animals, particularly large and long-lived ones, are remarkably resistant diseases of old age such as cancer. How did they evolve these anti-aging strategies?
Some animals, particularly large and long-lived ones, are remarkably resistant diseases of old age such as cancer. How did they evolve these anti-aging strategies?
Evolution of pregnany
Pregnancy is an unsual way to reproduce, in which intimate maternal-fetal interactions should alert the maternal immune system of a dangerous parastitic infection, but doesn’t. How did this strange way of reproducing evolve?
Evolution of human-specific pregnany traits
Human pregnancy is different than other animals, for example, the signals that initiate labor and delivery are unknown. Humans are also especially suseptibility to adverse pregnancy outsomes such as infertility and preterm birth. Why?
Cell-type origins and evolution
Organisms are composed of many unqiue cells that have specialized functions. How do new cell-types originate? How do their unique functions evolve?
Organisms are composed of many unqiue cells that have specialized functions. How do new cell-types originate? How do their unique functions evolve?
Woolly mammoth paleogenetics
Woolly mammoths are one of the most charismatic ice age animals. Woolly mammoths thrived in the tundra where average winter temperatures ranged from −30° to −50°C. How did they evolve to live in this extreme environment? Why did they go extinct?
Woolly mammoths are one of the most charismatic ice age animals. Woolly mammoths thrived in the tundra where average winter temperatures ranged from −30° to −50°C. How did they evolve to live in this extreme environment? Why did they go extinct?
Evolution of hearing
Woolly mammoths are one of the most charismatic ice age animals. Unlike living elpehants, which live in warm tropical and subtropical habitats, woolly mammoths lived in the extreme dark, cold, and tundra where average winter temperatures ranged from −30° to −50°C. How did
Is morphological evolution reversible?
Organisms are composed of many unqiue cells that have specialized functions. How do new cell-types originate? How do their unique functions evolve?
