John Finnerty

My laboratory tackles fundamental questions in biodiversity using an interdisciplinary approach that combines genomics, genetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, organismal biology, and ecology. Our primary study organisms are coastal marine invertebrates—sea anemones, corals, and jellyfishes. In particular, we have played a central role in developing the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, into an important new model system for genomics and developmental biology. By comparing “Stella” to “higher animals,” we are investigating the early evolution of animal genomes and animal body plans. By comparing the free-living Nematostella to the closely related parasitic anemone, Edwardsiella lineata, we are investigating the origin of parasitism. By comparing the performance of different strains of Nematostella under exposure to various environmental stressors using genomic and developmental assays, we are investigating the basis of this animal’s remarkably wide stress tolerances. We are also extending these stress-studies to corals, in an attempt to understand how corals respond to various environmental stressors, including those associated with global climate change.

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