Probing the
Origin of Cell Communication
in Animals
image credit: Animation Lab, University of Utah.
Kinase
Signaling
We aim to uncover the physiological role of phosphotyrosine signaling during the origin of multicellularity in animals. We use a combination of targeted genetics, pharmacology, and biochemistry to uncover kinase signaling.
Team Members: Maria, Iliana, Mariann, Hannah, Viky, Guadalupe
Selected Preprint
Rutaganira FU, Coyle MC, Nguyen MHT, Hernandez IH, Scopton AP, Dar AC, King N. A stress-responsive p38 signaling axis in choanoflagellates. 2025. PMID: 40226336 (Link)
Stay tuned for upcoming publications!
Chemical
Ecology
We study how choanoflagellates interact with their prey, bacteria, which also induce choanoflagellate development.
Team members: Yvette, Bri
Selected Publication
Chandra S, Rutaganira FU. Glycerol improves the viability of a cryopreserved choanoflagellate. 2024. PMID:39617193 (Link)
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Multicellular
Origins
We investigate how the unicellular relatives of animals use cell surface receptors to detect extracellular signals and how extracellular signaling impacts choanoflagellate cell biology.
Team Members: Jia, Hannah
Stay tuned for upcoming publications!
© Florentine Rutaganira