J. Andrew Gillis

This study investigates the evolutionary origins of Cajal-Retzius cells across vertebrates, finding they are conserved but gained specific transcriptomic features in amniotes.

The paper uses fate-mapping in a cartilaginous fish to show the spiracular organ develops from a unique neurogenic placode, distinct from lateral line placodes, supporting its developmental independence from the lateral line system.

This paper analyzes the evolutionary dynamics of FoxQ2 transcription factors across metazoans, identifying three ancient paralogs and revealing conserved and novel expression patterns in chordates.

The paper traces the embryonic origin of calcitonin-producing cells across vertebrates and finds they derive from pharyngeal endoderm, not neural crest, and identifies homologues in invertebrate chordates.

The paper identifies 23 transcription factor genes involved in electrosensory and mechanosensory lateral line organ development in paddlefish and sterlet, with some genes restricted to specific organ types.

This study shows that Fgf signalling is required for epithelial remodelling and gill slit perforation in skate embryos, highlighting an ancestral role in vertebrate pharyngeal pouch development.

This study shows that ectodermal Wnt signalling restricts Shh signal transduction and chondrogenesis to the posterior gill arch environment in skates, establishing skeletal polarity.

The paper shows that the pseudobranch in jawed vertebrates originates from the mandibular arch and shares features with gills, supporting serial homology.

The paper shows that the zebrafish pseudobranch develops from mandibular arch tissues and shares features with gills, supporting the hypothesis that vertebrate jaws evolved from modified gills.

The paper identifies conserved and unique transcriptional features in pharyngeal arches of skates, supporting serial homology of jaw and gill arches while highlighting distinct developmental mechanisms.

This study uses cell lineage tracing in skates to investigate the embryonic origins of gill arches and paired fins, finding dual origins for gill arches and proposing serial homology between these structures.

The paper identifies a conserved Pou3f3 enhancer that drives divergent gill cover patterns in jawed vertebrates by regulating pharyngeal arch expression.

This study shows that skates maintain chondrogenic activity in adulthood, enabling spontaneous cartilage repair, and identifies progenitor cells involved in this process.

This study shows that resegmentation, a process seen in tetrapods, also occurs in cartilaginous fish, indicating it is an ancestral feature of jawed vertebrates.