We aim to understand how the diversity of animal form develops and evolved. The focus of our research is the connection between the content and organisation of genomes to the evolution of development (evo-devo). The homeobox-containing genes of the Hox gene cluster have been a corner-stone of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, but much about cluster organisation and mode of operation remains unknown.
Also the Hox system is not unique as a gene cluster controlling animal development, further homeobox gene clusters being the ParaHox and NK clusters, all of which evolved within larger arrays of homeobox genes (the Mega-cluster, Giga-cluster and Super-Hox cluster). In addition to these issues of gene/genome organisation much of evo-devo has also involved changes to gene content (gene gains and losses) as well as redeployment into new roles.
We utilize a variety of organisms in our research (including amphioxus, sea squirts, polychaetes and priapulids), chosen from key points in the phylogeny of the animals to enable reconstruction of the ancestral conditions at major nodes in the animal kingdom; the origin of bilaterians, protostomes, deuterostomes, chordates and vertebrates, as well as the origin of the entire animal kingdom. Knowledge of such ancestors is vital in understanding subsequent diversification.
Research
Research
Reconstruction of the Urbilaterian Super-Hox cluster (adapted from Butts et al (2008) TiGs 24,259-62).
We aim to understand how the diversity of animal form develops and evolved. The focus of our research is the connection between the content and organisation of genomes to the evolution of development (evo-devo).
2020 – present: Postdoctoral research fellow, University of St Andrews, UK.
2016-2019: PhD in Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; in agreement with ‘Vall d’Hebron’ Research institute (VHIR) and ‘Fundació Docència i Recerca Mútuta Terrassa’ (FMT).
PhD project: Massive genetic studies in ischemic stroke: factors of risk and outcome (Supervisor: Dr Israel Fernandez-Cadenas).
2015-2016: Specialized technician in charge of laboratory cultures of marine chordates and microalgae in Dr. Albalat and Dr. Cañestro’s laboratory.
2014-2015: Master in Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Honours project: Genetic analysis of the developmental alterations ofOikopleura dioicacaused by toxins produced in the blooms of diatoms associated with the global warming (Co-supervisors: Prof Ricard Albalat & Dr Cristian Cañestro).
2010-2014: Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Honours project: Study of the production and toxicity of mircoalgae during the culture ofOikopleura dioica(Co-supervisors: Prof Ricard Albalat & Dr Cristian Cañestro).
2020- present: BBSRC EASTBIO DTP PhD, University of St Andrews, UK
PhD title: ParaHox gene regulation in the chordates
2016-2020: BSc Biochemistry, University of St Andrews, UK
2018-2020: Laidlaw Scholar Undergraduate student
Publications
Books
Hox modules in evolution and development Ferrier, D. E. K. (ed.), 14 Apr 2023, Abingdon, Oxon: CRC Press. 202 p. (Evolutionary cell biology) Research output: Book/Report › Book
Chapters
Space and time in Hox/ParaHox gene cluster evolution. Ferrier, D. E. K., 2019, Perspectives on Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Essays for Alessandro Minelli. Fusco, G. (ed.). Padova: Padova University Press, p. 245-258 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Evolution of the Hox gene cluster. Ferrier, D. E. K., Aug 2012, eLS. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary
Evolution of Hox complexes. Ferrier, D. E. K., 2010, Hox Genes: studies from the 20th to the 21st century.: Advances in experimental medicine and biology. Deutsch, J. (ed.). Landes Bioscience, Vol. 689. p. 91-100 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
When is a Hox gene not a Hox gene? The importance of gene nomenclature. Ferrier, D. E. K., 2008, Evolving Pathways: key themes in Evolutionary Developmental Biology.. Minelli, A. & Fusco, G. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, p. 175-193 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Evolution of Hox gene clusters. Ferrier, D. E. K., 2007, HOX gene expression. Papageorgiou, S. (ed.). Landes Bioscience, p. 53-67 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Homeobox Ferrier, D. E. K., 2002, The Encyclopedia of Evolution.. Pagel, M. (ed.). Oxford University Press Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Articles
Functionally diverse front-end desaturases are widespread in the phylum Annelida Ramos-Llorens, M., Hontoria, F., Navarro, J., Ferrier, D. E. K. & Monroig, O., 1 Oct 2023, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids.1868, 10, 10 p., 159377. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The genome of the deep-sea anemone Actinernus sp. contains a mega-array of ANTP-class homeobox genes Law, S. T. S., Yu, Y., Nong, W., So, W. L., Li, Y., Swale, T., Ferrier, D. E. K., Qiu, J., Qian, P. & Hui, J. H. L., 25 Oct 2023, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.290, 2009, 20231563. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Amphioxus muscle transcriptomes reveal vertebrate-like myoblast fusion genes and a highly conserved role of insulin signalling in the metabolism of muscle Aase-Remedios, M. E., Coll-Lladó, C. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 1 Feb 2022, In: BMC Genomics.23, 21 p., 93. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Evolutionary diversification of the canonical Wnt signaling effector TCF/LEF in chordates Torres-Aguila, N. P., Salonna, M., Hoppler, S. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 28 Apr 2022, In: Development, Growth & Differentiation.64, 3, p. 120-13718 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Genome of the rams horn snail Biomphalaria straminea: an obligate intermediate host of schistosomiasis Nong, W., Yu, Y., Aase-Remedios, M. E., Xie, Y., So, W. L., Li, Y., Wong, C. F., Baril, T., Law, S., Lai, S. Y., Haimovitz, J., Swale, T., Chen, S., Kai, Z., Sun, X., Wu, Z., Hayward, A., Ferrier, D. E. K. & Hui, J., 15 Feb 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: GigaScience.11, 13 p., giac012. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Gill transcriptomic responses to toxin-producing alga Prymnesium parvum in rainbow trout Clinton, M., Król, E., Sepúlveda, D., Andersen, N. R., Brierley, A. S., Ferrier, D. E. K., Hansen, P. J., Lorenzen, N. & Martin, S. A. M., 8 Dec 2021, In: Frontiers in Immunology.12, 17 p., 794593. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impacts of jellyfish on marine cage aquaculture: an overview of existing knowledge and the challenges to finfish health Clinton, M., Ferrier, D. E. K., Martin, S. A. M. & Brierley, A. S., Aug 2021, In: ICES Journal of Marine Science.78, 5, p. 1557–1573 Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Improved understanding of the role of gene and genome duplications in chordate evolution with new genome and transcriptome sequences Aase-Remedios, M. E. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 29 Jun 2021, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.9, 15 p., 703163. Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Sampling the fish gill microbiome: a comparison of tissue biopsies and swabs Clinton, M., Wyness, A. J., Martin, S. A. M., Brierley, A. S. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 10 Nov 2021, In: BMC Microbiology.21, 15 p., 313. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Nereid on the rise: Platynereis as a model system Özpolat, B. D., Randel, N., Williams, E., Bezares-Calderon, L. A., Andreatta, G., Balavoine, G., Bertucci, P., Ferrier, D. E. K., Gambi, M. C., Gazave, E., Handberg-Thorsager, M., Hardege, J., Hird, C., Hsieh, Y-W., Hui, J., Nzumbi Mutemi, K., Schneider, S., Simakov, O., Vergara, H., Vervoort, M., & 4 othersJékely, G., Tessmar-Raible, K., Raible, F. & Arendt, D., 27 Sept 2021, In: EvoDevo.12, 22 p., 10. Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Other publications
Hox and ParaHox genes in evolution, development and genomics. Ferrier, D. E. K., 2011, In: Genomics Proteomics & Bioinformatics.9, 3, p. 63-64 Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Tunicates push the limits of animal evo-devo Ferrier, D. E. K., 20 Jan 2011, In: BMC Biology.9, 3. Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Chordate Hox and ParaHox Gene Clusters Differ Dramatically in Their Repetitive Element Content Osborne, P. W. & Ferrier, D. E. K., Feb 2010, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution.27, 2, p. 217-2204 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Evolutionary Developmental Genomics: At the 2008 meeting of the European Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology Ferrier, D. E. K. & Martinez, P., May 2010, In: Genomics.95, 5, p. 247-2493 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
The amphioxus genome illuminates vertebrate origins and cephalochordate biology (Genome Research (2008) 18, (1100-1111)) Holland, L. Z., Albalat, R., Azumi, K., Benito-Gutiérrez, È., Blow, M. J., Bronner-Fraser, M., Brunet, F., Butts, T., Candiani, S., Dishaw, L. J., Ferrier, D. E. K., Garcia-Fernàndez, J., Gibson-Brown, J. J., Gissi, C., Godzik, A., Hallböök, F., Hirose, D., Hosomichi, K., Ikuta, T., Inoko, H., & 44 othersKasahara, M., Kasamatsu, J., Kawashima, T., Kimura, A., Kobayashi, M., Kozmik, Z., Kubokawa, K., Laudet, V., Litman, G. W., McHardy, A. C., Meulemans, D., Nonaka, M., Olinski, R. P., Pancer, Z., Pennacchio, L. A., Pestarino, M., Rast, J. P., Rigoutsos, I., Robinson-Rechavi, M., Roch, G., Saiga, H., Sasakura, Y., Satake, M., Satou, Y., Schubert, M., Sherwood, N., Shiina, T., Takatori, N., Tello, J., Vopalensky, P., Wada, S., Xu, A., Ye, Y., Yoshida, K., Yoshizaki, F., Yu, K., Zhang, Q., Zmasek, C. M., De Jong, P. J., Osoegawa, K., Putnam, N. H., Rokhsar, D. S., Satoh, N. & Holland, P. W. H., 1 Aug 2008, In: Genome Research.18, 8, 1 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
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