The Schmidt-Ott lab uses experimental and genomic approaches to study the molecular basis of evolutionary novelties and causes of developmental systems drift in embryos, using a broad range old and new fly models, including midges and mosquitoes (Diptera). We are interested in mechanisms pattern formation and morphogenesis. We welcome students and scholars who are interested in using our zoo of fly species to understand how plasticity and robustness shape gene networks and developmental mechanisms.
Max-Planck-Institute f. Biophys. Chemistry
Göttingen (Germany)
Postdoc - Molecular Developmental Biology
1997
University of Mainz
Mainz (Germany)
PhD - Genetics
1994
University of Freiburg
Freiburg i. Br. (Germany)
Diplom - Biology
1990
Breaking anterior-posterior symmetry in the moth fly Clogmia albipunctata.
Breaking anterior-posterior symmetry in the moth fly Clogmia albipunctata. bioRxiv. 2025 Aug 14.
PMID: 39868093
Genomic Resources for the Scuttle Fly Megaselia abdita: A Model Organism for Comparative Developmental Studies in Flies.
Genomic Resources for the Scuttle Fly Megaselia abdita: A Model Organism for Comparative Developmental Studies in Flies. bioRxiv. 2025 Feb 04.
PMID: 39868096
Intravitreal aflibercept 8 mg in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (PULSAR): 48-week results from a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial.
Intravitreal aflibercept 8 mg in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (PULSAR): 48-week results from a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2024 03 23; 403(10432):1141-1152.
PMID: 38461841
Intravitreal aflibercept 8 mg in diabetic macular oedema (PHOTON): 48-week results from a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 2/3 trial.
Intravitreal aflibercept 8 mg in diabetic macular oedema (PHOTON): 48-week results from a randomised, double-masked, non-inferiority, phase 2/3 trial. Lancet. 2024 03 23; 403(10432):1153-1163.
PMID: 38461843
Evaluation of Physician Knowledge of Safety and Safe Use Information for Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Europe: A Second Survey of Physicians Following Dissemination of Updated Risk-Minimization Materials.
Evaluation of Physician Knowledge of Safety and Safe Use Information for Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Europe: A Second Survey of Physicians Following Dissemination of Updated Risk-Minimization Materials. Pharmaceut Med. 2024 Jan; 38(1):63-73.
PMID: 38049618
Twenty-seven ZAD-ZNF genes of Drosophila melanogaster are orthologous to the embryo polarity determining mosquito gene cucoid.
Twenty-seven ZAD-ZNF genes of Drosophila melanogaster are orthologous to the embryo polarity determining mosquito gene cucoid. PLoS One. 2023; 18(1):e0274716.
PMID: 36595500
How two extraembryonic epithelia became one: serosa and amnion features and functions of Drosophila's amnioserosa.
How two extraembryonic epithelia became one: serosa and amnion features and functions of Drosophila's amnioserosa. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2022 12 05; 377(1865):20210265.
PMID: 36252222
Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom.
Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2022 12 05; 377(1865):20210250.
PMID: 36252213
Evolution and loss of ß-catenin and TCF-dependent axis specification in insects.
Evolution and loss of ß-catenin and TCF-dependent axis specification in insects. Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2022 04; 50:100877.
PMID: 35104659
Embryo polarity in moth flies and mosquitoes relies on distinct old genes with localized transcript isoforms.
Embryo polarity in moth flies and mosquitoes relies on distinct old genes with localized transcript isoforms. Elife. 2019 10 08; 8.
PMID: 31591963
Habilitation
Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany)
2001
Dissertation Research Award
Association of Friends of the University of Mainz
1995
Postdoctoral Fellowship
German Research Foundation (DFG)
1995 - 1997
PhD summa cum laude
University of Mainz
1994
Fellow
Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
1989