Evolution of Biological Novelty
Biological novelties occur at multiple levels of biological organization from phenotypic changes to changes at the molecular level. Chemical defenses have broadly evolved throughout the tree of life and can influence the evolution of organisms that employ them as well as the ecosystems in which they reside. Synthesized defensive toxins are often displayed as small, secondary metabolites that are endogenously biosynthesized and stored in the body of the organism for later use. My research utilizes one of the few vertebrate systems that synthesize their own toxins endogenously: true toads (Bufonidae).
What genes/pathways may underly toxin biosynthesis in true toads?
Synthesized chemical defenses have broadly evolved across countless taxa and are important in shaping evolutionary and ecological interactions within ecosystems. However, the underlying genomic mechanisms by which these organisms synthesize and utilize their toxins are relatively unknown. My work used comparative transcriptomics across ten species of North American toads to uncover potential toxin synthesizing genes and pathways, as well as interspecific patterns of toxin synthesizing genes across the focal species.
Is there inter-kingdom convergence among cardiac glycoside synthesizing organisms?
I am currently working on generating genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiles to understand what molecular mechanisms (genes and pathways) are involved in cardiac glycoside (bufadienolide) biosynthesis in true toads. My hope is to compare these genes and pathways to other cardiac glycoside producing organisms (e.g. foxglove, fireflies) to uncover potential patterns of inter-kingdom convergent evolution at the genotype and phenotypic levels of biological organization.