Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) investigates the evolution of developmental processes, aiming for a mechanistic understanding of phenotypic change. To this end, we study vulva development in the nematode
Pristionchus pacificus and compare it to
Caenorhabditis elegans. Our current research program aims to integrate our evo-devo studies with population genetics and evolutionary ecology. Studies at the interface with population genetics can indicate the contribution of natural variation to the evolution of development. The interface with ecology can reveal how the environment influences development, in particular under changing environmental conditions.
Publications
www.pristionchus.org