Research Comparative Functional Genomics Lab

The Comparative Functional Genomics Laboratory at the University of Guelph focuses on understanding molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying life history transitions and their evolution in marine invertebrates with particular emphasis on metamorphosis and the role of hormonal signaling systems in this process. Moreover we are placing this question back into the context of how the environment modulates such mechanisms on a molecular-cellular level. We have employed experimental, physiological and more recently functional genomics approaches. Currently the laboratory of Andreas Heyland is pursuing research in the following fields: 1) Iodine & Thyroid Hormone Signaling in Marine Ecosystems 2) Functional Genomics of Larval Development, Metamorphosis and Settlement in Aplysia californica 3) Function and Evolution of Sensory Signaling Systems in Selected Marine Invertebrate Groups.