Daniel J. Thiel

This study shows that cholinergic and monoaminergic signaling originated before Bilateria, using a combination of metabolomics, phylogenetics, and single-cell analysis.

The paper identifies 31 Nematostella vectensis GPCRs activated by 14 neuropeptides, showing cnidarian and bilaterian peptidergic systems expanded independently.

This paper analyzes the genome of Osedax frankpressi to show how genetic changes enable symbiotic digestion of bone, with reduced immunity genes and expanded protease genes.

The paper identifies two neuropeptide precursors with broad evolutionary conservation, suggesting neuropeptide signaling originated before neurons.

The paper decodes the compact genome of Dimorphilus gyrociliatus, revealing a conservative route to genome compaction with features similar to vertebrates.

This study identifies an excitatory peptide/CCHamide in nemertean larvae that increases ciliary beat frequency and alters vertical swimming distribution.

The paper introduces a urea-based in situ hybridization method that improves gene expression detection and reduces non-specific staining across multiple animal species.

The paper identifies an ancient FMRFamide-related neuropeptide and its receptor that induce coordinated defensive behaviors in brachiopod larvae.