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What are we interested in?

Our research addresses the molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern the development of embryos, tissues, and germ cells.
The developmental processes of interest include patterning of the embryonic ectoderm and mesoderm, embryonic axis formation, muscle specification and differentiation, heart development, organogenesis, germ cell and stem cell development, and tissue polarity. We are also interested in the evolutionary conservation and divergence of these processes.

Which animal models are we using?

Currently, the major model organisms used in our research are the fruit fly Drosophila, the flour beetle Tribolium, and the claw frog Xenopus.

What are we teaching?

In addition to the basic and advanced topics in developmental biology, our unit teaches introductory lectures in molecular and cell biology, genetics, organismic biology, and selected topics in ecology.