For further information about Dr. Grbic and his research, please visit his website at:
http://devbiol.zoo.uwo.ca/
Dr. Miodrag Grbic
Developmental biology, evolution of developmental mechanisms
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Position: Assistant Professor Office: Rm 306, B & G Building Phone: Fax: 519 661-3935 Email: mgrbic@uwo.ca Web site: http://devbiol.zoo.uwo.ca/ |
Research Statement:
Examination of the segmentation cascade in Copiosoma floridanum.
We are examining the function and expression pattern of genes known to regulate segmentation in Drosophila in C. floridanum, an insect with a radically derived mode of early development. We are using in-situ hybridisation, antibody staining and ds RNA interference to determine how the role of these genes may have changed over evolutionary time.
Evolution and Development in parasitic wasps.
Many endoparasitic species of wasp show radically different modes of early development as compared to the Drosophila model. However other closely related endoparastic species can display development superficially similar to that of Drosophila. By studying two such closely related species Aphidius ervi and Praon sp., we hope to discover differences in gene expression patterns and function between these two modes of development.
A third closely related species is the wasp Macrocentrus, which evolved poly-embryony independently from Copidosoma. We will compare aspects of development with both Aphidius and Praon (Braconidae), and Copidosoma.
Development in Spider mites; determining ancestral pathways for arthropod development.
Spider mites are chelicerates, a group of arthropods encompassing spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs and mites. Chelicerates are thought to have split quite early from the lineage leading to insects and crustaceans. Examination of the molecular basis of development of this group should enable us to determine what pathways are ancestral and what are derived for arthropod development.
This page was last updated on
June 13, 2006
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