Interaction and Evolution of Organisms
- Speakers: Silvia Bulgheresi and Mihaela Pavlicev
Evolutionary change at the molecular, cellular and morphological levels is based on an organism’s inherent capacity to generate hereditary (genetic and epigenetic) variations and on its interaction with its biotic and abiotic environment. This key research area, therefore, focuses on those aspects of evolutionary processes that influence the diversification and plasticity of organisms (e.g. interorganismal interactions between multicellular eukaryotes and microbes, the genetic and epigenetic basis for morphological and developmental complexity). The researchers study the question as to how cell and tissue types, as well as morphological, physiological and ecological traits, and interactions within and between organisms, develop and lead to innovation, transitions and radiation.
© Rashmit Kaur: Brain of a Drosophila (fruit fly)
© Harald Krenn: Prosoeca marinusi
© Andy Sombke: Scutigera
The methodological approaches adopted in this area include molecular and single-cell technologies, omics-based, morphological and biomathematical methods, along with 3D and 4D imaging technologies and field-based as well as labbased approaches. The integration of theoretical and experimental approaches at the system level allows for more comprehensive insights into evolution, as well as into the interactions between organisms and their complexity. Here, research covers a great variety of microbial, plant and animal systems to explore genetic functions, developmental and morphological signalling pathways, as well as organismal interactions at multiple stages, which represent the great taxonomical diversity on planet Earth.