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Contact Details

Phone
64 3 479 7832
Email
hod.biochemistry@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Professor and Head of Department
Department
Department of Biochemistry
Qualifications
BSc(Hons) PhD
Research summary
Evolution, development, and genome evolution

Research

Evolution and development, genome evolution

Genetic studies have helped us to understand the molecular control of development in a small number of model systems. In Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, for example, we can trace the molecular events that pattern specific body parts all the way back to the fertilised egg. What is unclear is how these patterning processes change over evolutionary time to give us the diversity of morphology we see in organisms today.

Our lab aims to understand the molecular basis of morphological evolution by studying how the developmental pathways that regulate embryogenesis evolve to produce different animal morphologies. To study this we use two model systems, the Honeybee (Apis mellifera) and a Rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis).

The evolution of developmental pathways

To understand and model the evolution of developmental pathways we need to study how evolutionary processes affect the complex interactions of genes and proteins that pattern embryos. One of the best model systems for understanding pattern formation is segmentation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Twenty years of study of this system has lead to an almost complete understanding of how genes and their product produce the segments of Drosophila. We are studying how this system has evolved by looking at the same segmentation process in the Honeybee. Honeybee segmentation is homologous to segmentation in Drosophila, uses many of the same genes, but is different in its morphological and molecular details. Using RNAi and transgenic Drosophila we are trying to understand how these molecular and morphological changes have come about. This study should give us a better understanding of the way in which developmental processes evolved and will perhaps lead to a predictive theory of the evolution of development.

Deep homology and the evolution of animals

Little is known about the genetic control of development in animals other than the well-studied genetic model systems Drosophila, Caenorhabditis, Zebrafish and mouse. One group of animals that are poorly researched are the Lophotrochozoa, a group of animal phyla including annelids, molluscs, platyhelminths, rotifers and others. Without understanding how these animals regulate development we are unable to develop a clear picture of the evolutionary history of animals. To study the genetic control of development in the Lophotrochozoa we are using a Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, as a model system. Rotifers are tiny aquatic animals that are easy to grow in the laboratory and have a short generation time. We have developed technique to examine gene expression and function and are using these to understand development in this animal.

These projects are funded by a Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Grant and a University of Otago Research Grant.

Awards

  • Peter Dearden
    2016, Best Research Paper of the Year by a BMS Researcher
  • Peter Dearden
    2014, Genetics Society of AustralAsia Ross Crozier Medal
    For outstanding contributions to genetics
  • Peter Dearden
    2014, Callaghan Medal for science communication
    For the outreach activities of Genetics Otago that he helped form and his involvement in communicating his genetics research on honey bees with the beekeeping industry and the public.
  • Peter Dearden and Dr Elizabeth Duncan
    2010, Otago School of Medical Sciences Best Paper Award

Publications

Inwood, S. N., Harrop, T. W. R., Shields, M. W., Goldson, S. L., & Dearden, P. K. (2024). Immune system modulation & virus transmission during parasitism identified by multi-species transcriptomics of a declining insect biocontrol system. BMC Genomics, 25, 311. doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10215-3 Journal - Research Article

Inwood, S. N., Harrop, T. W. R., Goldson, S. L., & Dearden, P. K. (2023, August-September). Transmission of a novel virus in a declining insect biocontrol system. Verbal presentation at the He taonga tuku iho: Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Bioprotection Aotearoa Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Dainty, K. R., Inwood, S., Goldson, S. L., & Dearden, P. K. (2023, August-September). Predicting successful biocontrol: What we can learn from Microctonus hyperodae genomics. Verbal presentation at the He taonga tuku iho: Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Bioprotection Aotearoa Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Dearden, P. K., Inwood, S., & Skelly, J. (2023, August-September). How might we refresh biocontrol agents? Verbal presentation at the He taonga tuku iho: Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Bioprotection Aotearoa Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Delargy, E., & Dearden, P. K. (2023, August). Time to grow up: Validation of the timer-gene segmentation hypothesis in the honeybee. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Genomics Satellite, Queenstown, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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