Présentation
Abstract:
We study the evolution of animal body plans and nervous systems from a cell type perspective, with particular emphasis on nervous system centralization in early bilaterians. For this, we have generated whole-body single cell atlases for a broad range of slow-evolving invertebrate and vertebrate species, sharing different important ancestors. Exemplifying this approach, we have chosen the nereid Platynereis dumerilii as a powerful model for comparative studies across and beyond bilaterians and built the PlatyBrowser, which established a link between cellular transcriptomes and subcellular morphologies for all cell types of the six-days-old young worm. Leveraging these resources, we are tracing cell types through animal evolution and thus reconstruct the cellular and tissue composition of urbilaterian ancestors. Comparing cell types between closely related species and populations, we also attempt to unravel cellular adaptations governing evolutionary change.
Hosted by Thibaut Brunet

