Urs C. Schmidt-Ott, PhD

The Schmidt-Ott lab uses experimental and genomic approaches to study the molecular basis of evolutionary novelties and causes of developmental systems drift in embryos, using a broad range old and new fly models, including midges and mosquitoes (Diptera). We are interested in mechanisms pattern formation and morphogenesis. We welcome students and scholars who are interested in using our zoo of fly species to understand how plasticity and robustness shape gene networks and developmental mechanisms.

Max-Planck-Institute f. Biophys. Chemistry
Göttingen (Germany)
Postdoc - Molecular Developmental Biology
1997

University of Mainz
Mainz (Germany)
PhD - Genetics
1994

University of Freiburg
Freiburg i. Br. (Germany)
Diplom - Biology
1990

Evaluation of Physician Knowledge of Safety and Safe Use Information for Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Europe: A Second Survey of Physicians Following Dissemination of Updated Risk-Minimization Materials.
Evaluation of Physician Knowledge of Safety and Safe Use Information for Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Europe: A Second Survey of Physicians Following Dissemination of Updated Risk-Minimization Materials. Pharmaceut Med. 2024 Jan; 38(1):63-73.
PMID: 38049618

Twenty-seven ZAD-ZNF genes of Drosophila melanogaster are orthologous to the embryo polarity determining mosquito gene cucoid.
Twenty-seven ZAD-ZNF genes of Drosophila melanogaster are orthologous to the embryo polarity determining mosquito gene cucoid. PLoS One. 2023; 18(1):e0274716.
PMID: 36595500

Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom.
Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2022 12 05; 377(1865):20210250.
PMID: 36252213

How two extraembryonic epithelia became one: serosa and amnion features and functions of Drosophila's amnioserosa.
How two extraembryonic epithelia became one: serosa and amnion features and functions of Drosophila's amnioserosa. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2022 12 05; 377(1865):20210265.
PMID: 36252222

Evolution and loss of ß-catenin and TCF-dependent axis specification in insects.
Evolution and loss of ß-catenin and TCF-dependent axis specification in insects. Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2022 04; 50:100877.
PMID: 35104659

Embryo polarity in moth flies and mosquitoes relies on distinct old genes with localized transcript isoforms.
Embryo polarity in moth flies and mosquitoes relies on distinct old genes with localized transcript isoforms. Elife. 2019 10 08; 8.
PMID: 31591963

Ancient mechanisms for the evolution of the bicoid homeodomain's function in fly development.
Ancient mechanisms for the evolution of the bicoid homeodomain's function in fly development. Elife. 2018 10 09; 7.
PMID: 30298815

Chironomus riparius (Diptera) genome sequencing reveals the impact of minisatellite transposable elements on population divergence.
Chironomus riparius (Diptera) genome sequencing reveals the impact of minisatellite transposable elements on population divergence. Mol Ecol. 2017 Jun; 26(12):3256-3275.
PMID: 28316106

Functional evolution of a morphogenetic gradient.
Functional evolution of a morphogenetic gradient. Elife. 2016 12 22; 5.
PMID: 28005004

Emerging developmental genetic model systems in holometabolous insects.
Emerging developmental genetic model systems in holometabolous insects. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2016 08; 39:116-128.
PMID: 27399647

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Habilitation
Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany)
2001

Dissertation Research Award
Association of Friends of the University of Mainz
1995

Postdoctoral Fellowship
German Research Foundation (DFG)
1995 - 1997

PhD summa cum laude
University of Mainz
1994

Fellow
Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
1989