Research Program                                   

The evolution of morphological novelties: studying change in organ shape.

Changes in the morphology of organs have been an essential component to the development of new body plans, new species, and the capacity to take advantage of new ecological niches.  For example, modifications to the vertebrate heart allowed vertebrates to crawl onto land and to take wings to the skies.  I compare the shape and development of the gonad of related nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans, Pristionchus pacificus, and others, to study these evolutionary-developmental processes.  In the lab to investigate our hypotheses at many levels, we take a multifaceted approach using cell biology, developmental genetic, and population genetic approaches. Some of the genetic and molecular pathways of interest at present include Wnt signaling and Netrin mediated cell migration.

Courses Taught

BIOL 1100. Principles of Biology.

BIOL 2100, 2101. Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology.

Recent Publications

Rudel, D., Tian, H., and Sommer R.J. (2008). The evolution of a morphological novelty: An essential role for Wnt signaling in P. pacificus gonadal arm extension. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 105, 10826-10831.

Rudel, D., Riebesell, M. and Sommer R. J.  (2005).   Gonadogenesis in Pristionchus pacificus and organ evolution:  development, adult morphology and cell-cell interactions in the hermaphrodite gonad. Developmental Biology 277, 200-221.

Rudel, D. and Sommer R. J. (2003).  The evolution of developmental mechanisms. Developmental Biology, Developmental Biology 264, 15-37.

Laboratory Personnel