Line Lieblein Røsæg

I work with differential expression of genes in the larval and adult stages of the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leydyi along its oral-aboral axis. Recent whole genome sequencing of this basal metazoan phylum has placed the ctenophores at the very base of the animal tree of life, even preceding sponges as an early diverging animal group. These results are much debated and if true, will change our notion of the common ancestor of all animals.