Christina Zakas

Zygotic genome activation is timed by the egg DNA-to-cytoplasm ratio across animals

The paper investigates ZGA timing across 61 animal species and finds that genome size to cytoplasm volume ratio predicts ZGA onset.

RNAi Gene knockdown of R-opsin and F-actin in the marineannelid Streblospio benedicti by delivering dsRNA

This paper demonstrates RNAi gene knockdown in the marine polychaete Streblospio benedicti using dsRNA delivery via feeding larvae or microinjecting juveniles, validated by qPCR and in situ hybridization.

Comparative Hox genes expression within the dimorphic annelidStreblospio benedicti reveals patterning variation during development

The paper compares Hox gene expression in two larval types of Streblospio benedicti to identify developmental divergence associated with morphological differences.

The role of heterochronic gene expression and regulatory architecture in early developmental divergence

The paper identifies gene expression changes and regulatory mechanisms underlying developmental divergence in the annelid Streblospio benedicti using RNAseq across ontogeny.

Maternal patterns of inheritance alter transcript expression in eggs

The paper investigates how variation in maternal mRNA provisioning affects developmental programs in eggs of the species Streblospio benedicti, finding parent-of-origin and allele-specific effects on gene expression.

The genome of the poecilogonous annelid Streblospio benedicti

This paper presents the first chromosomal-level genome assembly of Streblospio benedicti, revealing insights into its genomic basis for developmental divergence without genome duplication.