Project at a glance

Evolutionary Cell Biology of Multicellular Development
 

Our research addresses fundamental questions at the interface of cell biology, evolution, and genomics. We investigate microbial eukaryotes, especially lineages close to the root of animals, to understand how unicellular lineages gave rise to multicellularity. In particular, we study cytoskeletal organization, developmental transitions, and life cycle dynamics in taxa such as the Ichthyosporea - close relatives of animals.

To achieve this, we combine advanced imaging modalities including expansion microscopy with transcriptomic profiling and experimental evolution. By integrating these approaches, we aim to uncover the cellular mechanisms, evolutionary innovations, and molecular networks underlying the emergence of multicellular developmental programs.