Simone Giulio Bordignon
Department of Biology
Building M, Room M809
University of Konstanz
Universitätsstraße 10
78457 Konstanz
Tel: +49 (0) 7531 88 3443
E-mail:
[email protected]
I have been long interested in molecular mechanisms during developmental process. Developmental biology, also known as "evo-devo," is one of the most promising fields of biology in recent decades. During development, organisms often resemble different stages of their evolutionary history; for instance, human embryos exhibit gill-like structures during the first weeks of embryonic development. The central idea of evo-devo is that evolution, which has led to the vast diversity of life, can be explained by understanding how changes in the regulation, timing, and spatial expression of developmental genes have contributed to this diversity. Natural diversity reveals a curious absence of phenotypic combinations that carry no obvious adaptive penalties, indicative of developmental constraints. Conversely, clusters in morphospace are often observed due to evolutionary convergence. While these clusters are less surprising due to their functional significance, it remains largely unclear why certain adaptive phenotypes occur frequently, while others have remained evolutionary singletons. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of phenotypic variation patterns requires us to go beyond selection and consider factors beyond the ecological relevance of a trait.
The genes I am studying, known as alx genes, are master regulatory genes in vertebrates, including humans. Their absence is associated with severe diseases, such as craniofacial dysplasia. The potential link between these genes and pathways involved in mineralization and bone formation may explain the repeated evolution of anterior fin spines across different fish groups. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of these genes are poorly understood. Investigating the pathways they regulate could not only provide insights into their evolutionary role but also offer valuable knowledge for future medical research.
The genes I am studying, known as alx genes, are master regulatory genes in vertebrates, including humans. Their absence is associated with severe diseases, such as craniofacial dysplasia. The potential link between these genes and pathways involved in mineralization and bone formation may explain the repeated evolution of anterior fin spines across different fish groups. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of these genes are poorly understood. Investigating the pathways they regulate could not only provide insights into their evolutionary role but also offer valuable knowledge for future medical research.
Education:
Awards and Grants:
Conference presentations:
Talks
Society Memberships:
Publications:
- 01/10/2019 – 02/03/2022: Master’s degree in Evolutionary Biology | score: 110/110 University of Padova, Padova (Italy). Advisors: Prof. Leonardo Congiu, Dr. Stefano Dalle Palle. Title: "Isolation of intronic markers in Acipenserides and analysis of allelic segregation by micro satellites in the cobice sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)"
- 12/10/2015 – 27/09/2019: Bachelor’s degree in biology | curriculum Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Padova, Padova (Italy)
Advisors: Prof. Maria B. Rasotto, Dr Lisa Locatello
Title: “Reproductive behaviour and pheromones in the peacock blenny Salaria pavo”
- June-July 2019: I worked on my bachelor’s thesis in Chioggia, at the Hydrobiological station of the University of Padua. My work was focused on the female choice using specific pheromone signals in the model species Salaria Pavo. During this period, I did numerous scuba divings in Laguna di Venezia, to find, to record and to capture species of fishes for our experiments. I trained my abilities in scuba diving. I have developed knowledge about basic laboratory procedures, like pheromones extraction, DNA extraction.
- October 2020-December 2021: I worked on my master’s thesis in Padua, at the department of Biology of the University of Padua. My work was part of a bigger project and was focused on a sturgeon conservation project (A.Naccarii). I have developed advanced knowledge of laboratory procedures like DNA extraction, PCR, Purification of DNA. I had to take care of 1200 sturgeons every day for 2 months, cleaning their pools, feeding them and collecting any dead specimens. I developed useful skills on animal breeding.
- October 2022 – present: I’m currently working at the University of Konstanz as a PhD student in Prof. Dr. Axel Meyer group, under the supervision of Dr. Joost M. Woltering founded by DFG. I’m investigating genetic pathways that are responsible for fin and scale formation, using advanced laboratory techniques, such as in situ hybridization, alizarin red, alcian blue staining, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Model organism mouthbreeder cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni.
Awards and Grants:
- Best poster award 1st place, Poster session 2023 of the department of Biology at the University of Konstanz
- Best poster award 2nd place, Poster session 2024 of the department of Biology at the University of Konstanz
Conference presentations:
Talks
- Euro Evo-Devo 2024, Helsinki, 24-28.06.2024
Society Memberships:
Publications:
- Dalle Palle, S., Boscari, E., Bordignon, S.G., Muñoz-Mora, V.H., Bertorelle, G. and Congiu, L., 2022. Different chromosome segregation patterns coexist in the tetraploid Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccarii. Diversity, 14(9), p.745.