Jiankai Wei

This study identifies the thyroid hormone (TH) precursor protein in the ascidian Styela clava, demonstrating endogenous TH synthesis and evolutionary conservation of the TG protein function.

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to trace endoderm cell trajectories in Styela clava, revealing dual origins of the digestive tract and conserved regulatory programs across chordates.

The paper studies zygotic genome activation in ascidian hybrids, identifying two waves of gene reactivation and spatial patterns linked to cell mechanics.