AG Pechmann
Arthropod Development and Evolution
Welcome to the CologneSpiderLab. Our research focus lies on the evolutionary developmental biology of arthropods, particularly of spiders and insects. We investigate the molecular mechanisms and genetic processes that contribute to phenotypic diversification and innovation in these organisms.
Research Topics and Questions
- Gene duplications and phenotypic innovation in arthropods
- How do gene duplications influence the phenotypic evolution of arthropods?
- Development and evolution of appendages
- What molecular mechanisms govern the diversification and function of different appendage types in arthropods?
- Formation of embryonic body axes
- Cumulus and BMP-Signalling dependent DV patterning in spiders
- We are investigating how the Toll signalling pathway was recruited to pattern the dorsoventral (DV) body axis in insects (in close collaboration with the group of Siegfried Roth)
Methods:
- Transcriptome and genome sequencing
- Live imaging of embryonic development
- Functional studies via CRISPR/Cas9 und RNAi
- Expression analysis via in situ hybridisation
- Embryonic micro-injections
