Spring is here and I felt like reading something a bit different, so for the next weeks lab meeting I picked a review on the origins of multicellularity in Volvox communities. But don't worry, perhaps we can keep the discussion on more general level about evolutionary transformations and not dig ourselves into the details of Volvox signaling pathways ;-). I'll bring fika!
When: Tues, March 22nd, 10:00
Where: Argument
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| Ted Kinsman / Photo Researchers / Universal Images Group |
Origins of multicellular complexity: Volvox and the volvocine algae
Abstract
The
collection of evolutionary transformations known as the ‘major
transitions’ or ‘transitions in individuality’ resulted in changes in
the units of evolution and in the hierarchical structure of cellular
life. Volvox and related algae have become an important model
system for the major transition from unicellular to multicellular life,
which touches on several fundamental questions in evolutionary biology.
The Third International Volvox Conference was held at the
University of Cambridge in August 2015 to discuss recent advances in the
biology and evolution of this group of algae. Here, I highlight the
benefits of integrating phylogenetic comparative methods and
experimental evolution with detailed studies of developmental genetics
in a model system with substantial genetic and genomic resources. I
summarize recent research on Volvox and its relatives and
comment on its implications for the genomic changes underlying major
evolutionary transitions, evolution and development of complex traits,
evolution of sex and sexes, evolution of cellular differentiation and
the biophysics of motility. Finally, I outline challenges and suggest
future directions for research into the biology and evolution of the
volvocine algae.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.13551/pdf
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