MicroEvol

Multicellularity is considered an evolutionary transition. Recently, de novo multicellularity was evolved in the lab. We capitalized from this system to tackle if the ancestral phenotype plasticity is predictable or intrinsic distinguishable in the evolved phenotypes, and the emergent properties raised from them

Previous studies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii suggest a trade-off between motility and de origin of multicellularity. We are investigating if we can trigger and maintain group formation by selecting for size, using mutants with impair flagella.

Mine sites render highly polluted environments in which has spurred selection. These extreme environments are interesting sites for extremophiles bioprospection for taxonomical studies, bioremediation, and industrial applications.