Profile

Dr Dave Ferrier
Reader in Biology and
Deputy Director of the Scottish Oceans Institute
Research Overview. We aim to understand how the diversity of form in the animal kingdom evolved. The focus of our research is the connection between the evolution of animal genome organisation and development, with a particular concentration on the homeobox-containing genes. The Hox gene cluster is established as a corner-stone of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, but much about the evolution of its organisation and mode of operation remains unknown. Also the Hox cluster is not unique as a homeobox gene cluster controlling animal development, further clusters being the ParaHox and NK clusters, all of which evolved within larger arrays of homeobox genes (the Mega-cluster, Giga-cluster and Super-Hox cluster). We utilize a variety of organisms in our research (including amphioxus, sea squirts, polychaetes and priapulids), chosen from key points in the phylogeny of the animals to enable reconstruction of the ancestral conditions at major nodes in the animal kingdom; the origin of bilaterians, protostomes, deuterostomes, chordates and vertebrates, as well as the origin of the entire animal kingdom. Knowledge of such ancestors is vital in understanding subsequent diversification.
Recent publications
1 (of 1 published available) for dekf with keyword Ediacaran clear keyword filter. (source: University of St Andrews PURE)
Please click title of any item for full details.
Briefings in Functional Genomics
vol.15 pp.333-341
(Review article)
David Ellard Keith Ferrier
Keywords: Animal evolution, Homeobox genes, Animal phylogeny, Ediacaran
Contact Details:
Dr Dave FerrierScottish Oceans Institute
East Sands
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
KY16 8LB
Fife
UK
tel: 01334 463480
fax:
room: 1.10b
email: dekf@st-andrews.ac.uk
Related:
research@st-andrewsEvolutionary Developmental Genomics (EDGe) Group website
Public Engagement and Recruitment Committee
School of Biology
Centre for Biological Diversity
Scottish Oceans Institute
Evolutionary Developmental Genomics
Evolution, Genes and Genomics Group
Institute for Data-Intensive Research
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The Secretary
Scottish Oceans Institute
Institiud Chuantan na h-Alba
Gatty Marine Laboratory
East Sands St Andrews
KY16 8LB
Scotland
UK
tel: +44 (0) 1334 463472
fax: +44 (0) 1334 463443
email: soi@st-andrews.ac.uk
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