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, Guadalupe, Joncarlo
Selected Publication
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 more publications!
Chemical
Ecology
We study how choanoflagellates interact with their prey, bacteria, which also induce choanoflagellate development.
Team members: Bri, Silvia, Chelsea
Selected Publication
Chandra S, Rutaganira FU. Glycerol improves the viability of a cryopreserved choanoflagellate. 2024. PMID:39617193 (Link)
Stay tuned for more publications!
Multicellular
Origins
We investigate how the unicellular relatives of animals use cell surface receptors to detect extracellular signals and how extracellular signaling impacts intracellular choanoflagellate cell biology through connections to the actin cytoskeleton.
Team Members: Jia, Hannah, Julio, Kennedi
Stay tuned for upcoming publications!
© Florentine Rutaganira