Control and evolution of somite pattern formation during early development (C06)

• Subject Area: Developmental Biology ; Bioinformatics and Theoretical Biology
• Term: from 2008 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 13532522

Vertebrate somitogenesis is being studied in a diverse set of animals, and ist understanding has reached a level where theoretical modeling can provide important insights. Here, we focus on an evolutionary transition in the oscillatory Expression pattern of the genes involved in the 'somitogenesis clock*. Such a transition appears to have occurred between Zebrafish and Medaka. We will use theoretical modeling to study the phenotypic variability of the regulatory network controlling somitogenesis, and will perform experiments to characterize the effects of the regulatory evolution in key clock elements.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 680: Molecular Basis of Evolutionary Innovations
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ulrich Gerland