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Our Research Interests
Evolutionary Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Genomics, Single-Cell Transcriptomics, Photosymbiosis
Current Research
Genetic Regulation and Evolution of Symbiotic Cell States
Our research focuses on the genomic and regulatory basis of animal–algal photosymbiosis and its role in animal evolution. We study how host and symbiont genomes interact to establish and maintain stable symbiotic cell states, and how changes in genome structure influence gene regulation, body plan evolution, and deep animal phylogeny.
Research Directions:
Symbiosis genomics and evolution of acoels (Symsagittifera and Praesagittifera)
Symbiosis genomics and reproduction of corals (Galaxea and Euphyllia)
Evolutionary developmental biology of marine invertebrates (brachiopods, phoronids, and bryozoans)
Approaches:
Comparative genomics
Functional genomics
Single-cell transcriptomics
Confocal image of an adult Symsagittifera worm showing nuclei (cyan), muscle fibres (yellow), and symbiotic green algae (magenta). Image by Tosuke Sakagami.
Funding
Our research has been funded by a range of funders across the globe, including Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS, Japan), Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP, International), Royal Society (UK), Academia Sinica (Taiwan), and National Science and Technology Council (NSTC, Taiwan), and European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO, International).
The current and past direct funding includes:
European Molecular Biology Organization Global Investigator Network
National Science and Technology Council Research Project Grant
Academia Sinica Grand Challenge Program Seed Grant
Academia Sinica Career Development Award
Royal Society International Exchanges Grant (Cost Share Programme with NSTC)
Royal Society Newton International Fellowship
Human Frontier Science Program Long-Term Fellowship
Grant-in-Aid for Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellows
People from around the world have joined our lab with personal support from various fellowship and exchange programs, including Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan), Royal Society (UK), and Company of Biologists (UK).
Current and past fellowships and exchange support include:
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Overseas Research Fellowship
Royal Society International Exchanges Grant
The Company of Biologists Travelling Fellowship
Banner image: Symsagittifera acoel worm by Tosuke Sakagami
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