Oxidative Stress and Fitness Reorganization During the Evolution of Multicellularity

This research project investigates how fitness emerged at the group level when initially it was present at the cell level during the evolution of multicellularity. We hypothesize that oxidative stress altered the gene expression of life history genes, leading to a new genotype-phenotype map that supported division of labor and enhanced group fitness.

We use Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Gonium pectorale (which exhibits plasticity in multicellularity), and multicellular Volvox carteri to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the gene expression of life history genes (i.e., rls1/rlsD and regA gene). Additionally, we use mathematical modeling to predict how variations in oxidative stress affect gene expression and fitness reorganization.