David Mörsdorf

Kinetic logic of uridylation-mediated RNA decay

This study investigates how uridylation mediates RNA decay in Drosophila by showing how Tailor generates oligo(U) intermediates and how Dis3l2 decodes these to initiate decay.

Chordin-mediated BMP shuttling patterns the secondary body axis in a cnidarian

The paper shows that mobile Chordin is necessary for BMP signaling to establish a secondary axis in Nematostella, supporting a BMP shuttling mechanism over local inhibition.

A whole-body atlas of non-graded BMP signaling activity in a sea anemone

The paper creates a whole-body atlas of BMP signaling activity in the sea anemone Nematostella, revealing diverse domains of activity beyond axial patterning.

β-catenin-dependent endomesoderm specification appears to be a Bilateria-specific co-option

The paper shows that β-catenin signaling patterns the oral-aboral axis in Nematostella vectensis, but endoderm specification occurs opposite to nuclear β-catenin accumulation, suggesting this mechanism is a Bilateria-specific co-option.