New thesis explores the evolution of sponge species in Antarctica and the deep sea
Thursday 17 December at 1 PM, Vasiliki Koutsouveli, PhD student at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, will defend her thesis focusing on the ecophysiological and evolutionary aspects of sponge species from Antarctica and the deep sea. Welcome to participate online via Zoom.
(Image removed) Vasiliki Koutsouveli, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
Very little is known about the ecophysiological and evolutionary aspects of sponges in the Antarctic shallow waters and the North Atlantic deep-sea. This despite that they are keystone components of these habitats. In her thesis Sex, Molecules, and Gene control. Ecophysiological and evolutionary aspects of key sponge species from Antarctic shallow waters and the deep sea, Vasiliki Koutsouveli presents new knowledge about the reproduction of these sponges and the molecular toolkit that regulate their gametogenesis from an evolutionary perspective.
"Sponges play a fundamental role in our understanding of animal evolution. In my research, I have, among other things, studied reproduction strategies in a number of sponge species. My results can provide essential information for the design of adequate conservation strategies in these vulnerable areas, as well as for our understanding of the development of sexual reproduction in animals. It can also provide better understanding of the chemical ecology of the deep-sea sponge Phakellia ventilabrum, which may set the basis for future comparative analyses across species,” says Vasiliki Koutsouveli.
More information
Download thesis Sex, Molecules, and Gene control
Participate at dissertation
Join online https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/67427889269 Thursday 17 December at 1 PM
Contact
(Image removed) Vasiliki Koutsouveli, Uppsala University
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences
vasiliki.koutsouveli@farmbio.uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, photo: private