Research areas
We aim to understand how the diversity of form in the animal kingdom evolved. The focus of our research is the connection between the evolution of animal genome organisation and development, with a particular concentration on the homeobox-containing genes. The Hox gene cluster is established as a corner-stone of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, but much about the evolution of its organisation and mode of operation remains unknown. Also the Hox cluster is not unique as a homeobox gene cluster controlling animal development, further clusters being the ParaHox and NK clusters, all of which evolved within larger arrays of homeobox genes (the Mega-cluster and Super-Hox cluster). We utilize a variety of organisms in our research (including amphioxus, sea squirts, polychaetes and priapulids), chosen from key points in the phylogeny of the animals to enable reconstruction of the ancestral conditions at major nodes in the animal kingdom; the origin of bilaterians, protostomes, deuterostomes, chordates and vertebrates.
lab website: https://edge.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/
PhD supervision
- Xueqing Li
- Kate Smith
Selected publications
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Open access
Carrillo-Baltodano, A., Haillot, E., Mutiara Meha, S., Luqman, I., Pashaj, A., Montagne, J., Lee, Y.-J., Lu, T.-M., Ferrier, D., Schneider, S. & Martin-Duran, J., 18 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Nature Communications.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Torres-Aguila, N. P., Salonna, M., Shimeld, S., Hoppler, S. & Ferrier, D., 2 Feb 2026, In: BMC Biology. 24, p. 1-13 13 p., 28.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Harman, J., Fenton, B., Ferrier, D., Hipsley, C. A., Liberles, D. A., McDougall, C. & Narayan, E., 15 Aug 2025, In: BMC Ecology and Evolution. 25, p. 1-12 12 p., 80.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial
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Open access
Carrillo-Baltodano, A., Haillot, E., Mutiara Meha, S., Luqman, I., Pashaj, A., Lee, Y.-J., Lu, T.-M., Ferrier, D. E. K., Schneider, S. & Martin-Duran, J., 1 Jun 2025, bioRxiv, p. 1-55, 55 p.
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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Open access
Clinton, M., Wyness, A. J., Martin, S. A. M., Brierley, A. S. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 1 Dec 2024, In: BMC Veterinary Research. 20, 21 p., 340.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Torres-Aguila, N. P., Salonna, M., Shimeld, S., Hoppler, S. & Ferrier, D. E. K., 15 Nov 2024, bioRxiv, 25 p.
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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Open access
Zhe, Q., Yiu, W. C., Yip, H. Y., Nong, W., Yu, C. W. C., Lee, I. H. T., Wong, A. Y. P., Wong, N. W. Y., Cheung, F. K. M., Chan, T. F., Lau, K. F., Zhong, S., Chu, K. H., Tobe, S. S., Ferrier, D. E. K., Bendena, W. G. & Hui, J. H. L., 1 Apr 2023, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution. 40, 4, msad077.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
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Open access
Ramos-Llorens, M., Hontoria, F., Navarro, J., Ferrier, D. E. K. & Monroig, O., 1 Oct 2023, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 1868, 10, 10 p., 159377.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Ferrier, D. E. K. (Editor), 14 Apr 2023, Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 202 p. (Evolutionary cell biology)
Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Ferrier, D. E. K., 14 Apr 2023, Hox modules in evolution and development. Ferrier, D. E. K. (ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, p. 1-13 13 p. (Evolutionary cell biology).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter