Harnessing Single Cell RNA Sequencing to Uncover Developmental Genetic Underpinnings of Syngnathid Fishes’ Derived Traits
| dc.contributor.advisor | Cresko, William | |
| dc.contributor.author | Healey, Hope | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-02-24T19:05:57Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-02-24T19:05:57Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-02-24 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Syngnathid fishes are extraordinary creatures with highly derived features. Notably, thesefishes have elongated, toothless snouts, male pregnancy, and exoskeletons. In addition to their highly altered morphologies, syngnathids have lost highly conserved signaling genes (fgf3 and 4), transcription factors (eve1), and tooth mineralization genes (scpp genes). Although these genomic changes are predicted to contribute to the development, or lack thereof, of syngnathid’s derived traits, it is unknown whether this is the case. To investigate developmental origins of syngnathid’s highly altered traits, I harnessed single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) methods for my dissertation research. First, I identified limitations for completing scRNAseq analysis in non-traditional model organisms, then overcame these challenges using scISOseq to improve gene annotations. Then, I used these methods to study syngnathid’s unique craniofacial morphology (elongate head and loss of teeth). I identified the cell types present and signaling genes expressed at the start of craniofacial elongation in Gulf pipefish. Additionally, I found unique changes in signaling gene expression patterns during early craniofacial development of Gulf pipefish. This thesis discovered local modifications (select Fgf, Wnt, and Bmp genes) in pipefish craniofacial development, but found no evidence for global gene network re-wiring. Overall, this study suggests that syngnathid’s highly derived heads evolved from local network re-wiring. This dissertation includes previously published and unpublished co-authored material. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1794/30437 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | University of Oregon | |
| dc.rights | All Rights Reserved. | |
| dc.subject | evolutionary novelties | en_US |
| dc.subject | scRNAseq | en_US |
| dc.subject | syngnathid | en_US |
| dc.title | Harnessing Single Cell RNA Sequencing to Uncover Developmental Genetic Underpinnings of Syngnathid Fishes’ Derived Traits | |
| dc.type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Department of Biology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Oregon | |
| thesis.degree.level | doctoral | |
| thesis.degree.name | Ph.D. |
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