Event
The Evolution of Cellular Innovations in Annual Killifish Development
Dr. Phil Abitua, University of Washington
Abstract: Animals thrive in an astonishing array of ever-changing environments, and this remarkable adaptability is driven by the flexibility of embryonic development. Traditional model organisms capture only a fraction of this diversity, leaving us with limited knowledge of how such adaptability is encoded. My research aims to bridge this gap by using annual killifish to explore how adaptation to extreme environments reshapes gene networks, leading to innovative cellular features like novel patterning strategies and new cell types.