Research interest

I’m interested in understanding the evolution of nervous systems and neuronal patterning across metazoans. More specifically I'm interested in identifying conserved mechanisms of neuronal patterning between cnidarians and bilaterians. Identifying these conserved mechanisms would allow us to form hypotheses about how the cnidairan-bilaterian ancestor patterned it's nervous system. Currently, I'm identifying whether the bilateral conserved mechanisms of anterior-posterior neuronal subtype patterning are utilized within N. vectensis.

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Education

B.S., Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Publications

Faltine-Gonzalez, Dylan Z, and Michael J Layden. “Characterization of nAChRs in Nematostella vectensis supports neuronal and non-neuronal roles in the cnidarian-bilaterian common ancestor.” EvoDevo vol. 10 27. 2 Nov. 2019, doi:10.1186/s13227-019-0136-3

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Havrilak JA, Faltine-Gonzalez D, Wen Y, Fodera D, Simpson AC, Magie CR, Layden MJ. Characterization of NvLWamide-like neurons reveals stereotypy in Nematostella nerve net development. Developmental Biology. 2017 Sep 6. 

doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.08.028

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