Over the past two decades, developmental biologists have made great strides in understanding embryonic pattern formation at the genetic, molecular, and cellular levels. Much of this advancement can be attributed to the remarkable success of studies of pattern formation in model systems, such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Identification of genes that play major roles in setting up the body plan, combined with the subsequent discovery that many of these genes are well conserved even between different phyla, has also led to a renaissance in the investigation of the links between evolution and development. Using information collected from studies of Drosophila development, my lab and others are beginning to explore the degree to which developmental pathways have been conserved or altered between various arthropods. Insights into the nature of developmental and molecular alterations will help us to understand the evolutionary changes in the mechanisms of pattern formation and provide a molecular basis for analyzing the diversification of body morphologies and developmental mechanisms.
Lepidopteran scale cells derive from sensory organ precursors through a canonical lineage.
Lepidopteran scale cells derive from sensory organ precursors through a canonical lineage. Development. 2025 Mar 01; 152(5).
PMID: 40052482
Elucidating nanostructural organization and photonic properties of butterfly wing scales using hyperspectral microscopy.
Elucidating nanostructural organization and photonic properties of butterfly wing scales using hyperspectral microscopy. J R Soc Interface. 2024 Sep; 21(218):20240185.
PMID: 39257280
A Novel Expression Domain of extradenticle Underlies the Evolutionary Developmental Origin of the Chelicerate Patella.
A Novel Expression Domain of extradenticle Underlies the Evolutionary Developmental Origin of the Chelicerate Patella. Mol Biol Evol. 2024 Sep 04; 41(9).
PMID: 39235104
A novel expression domain of extradenticle underlies the evolutionary developmental origin of the chelicerate patella.
A novel expression domain of extradenticle underlies the evolutionary developmental origin of the chelicerate patella. bioRxiv. 2024 May 20.
PMID: 38826321
A meta-analysis of butterfly structural colors: their color range, distribution and biological production.
A meta-analysis of butterfly structural colors: their color range, distribution and biological production. J Exp Biol. 2023 11 01; 226(21).
PMID: 37937662
Discovery of the bicycle gene family provides new insights into insect manipulation of plant development during gall induction.
Discovery of the bicycle gene family provides new insights into insect manipulation of plant development during gall induction. Fac Rev. 2023; 12:16.
PMID: 37449009
Dual Functions of labial Resolve the Hox Logic of Chelicerate Head Segments.
Dual Functions of labial Resolve the Hox Logic of Chelicerate Head Segments. Mol Biol Evol. 2023 03 04; 40(3).
PMID: 36798978
The BET inhibitor/degrader ARV-825 prolongs the growth arrest response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib and suppresses proliferative recovery in ER-positive breast cancer.
The BET inhibitor/degrader ARV-825 prolongs the growth arrest response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib and suppresses proliferative recovery in ER-positive breast cancer. Front Oncol. 2022; 12:966441.
PMID: 36741704
The Daphnia carapace and other novel structures evolved via the cryptic persistence of serial homologs.
The Daphnia carapace and other novel structures evolved via the cryptic persistence of serial homologs. Curr Biol. 2022 09 12; 32(17):3792-3799.e3.
PMID: 35858617
Expression of Abdominal-B in the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, expands our evolutionary understanding of the crustacean abdomen.
Expression of Abdominal-B in the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, expands our evolutionary understanding of the crustacean abdomen. Dev Biol. 2022 09; 489:178-184.
PMID: 35732224