Professor Bernard Degnan
Professor

Bernard Degnan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52467

Availability

Professor Bernard Degnan is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Bioinformatics and computational biology Biological Sciences Evolution of developmental systems Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Genetics Genome structure and regulation Genomics and transcriptomics Invertebrate biology Molecular evolution Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, California State University-Long Beach
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Genomes, Development & Evolution

    We are interested in the genomic, cellular and developmental mechanisms that underpin the evolution, formation and functioning of animals. Our lab studies a range of coral reef invertebrates, some that have economic or environmental value and others that act as models to address fundamental questions in biology and biomedicine.

  • 1. Origin of animal complexity

    We seek to understand the nature and evolution of the genome-encoded rules governing animal systems, including development, stem cells and regeneration.

  • 2. Marine biology and biotechnology

    We undertake basic, strategic and applied research into the molecular, cellular and developmental biology of coral reef invertebrates, including development of novel biocontrol strategies.

  • 3. Genomics and evolution of biomineralization

    We study the formation and patterning of complex biomaterials comprising marine skeletons and shells, some which are of commercial value.

Search Professor Bernard Degnan’s works on UQ eSpace

298 works between 1988 and 2024
All (298) Journal Article (252) Book Chapter (11) Conference Publication (34) Other Outputs (1)

41 - 60 of 298 works

2017

Book Chapter

Developing perspectives on molluscan shells, part 1: introduction and molecular biology

Kocot, Kevin M., McDougal, Carmel and Degnan, Bernard M. (2017). Developing perspectives on molluscan shells, part 1: introduction and molecular biology. Physiology of molluscs: a collection of selected reviews. (pp. 1-41) edited by Saber Saleuddin and Spencer Mukai. Oakville, ON Canada: Apple Academic Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315207483

Developing perspectives on molluscan shells, part 1: introduction and molecular biology

2016

Journal Article

The importance of evo-devo to an integrated understanding of molluscan biomineralisation

Jackson, Daniel J. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). The importance of evo-devo to an integrated understanding of molluscan biomineralisation. Journal of Structural Biology, 196 (2), 67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2016.01.005

The importance of evo-devo to an integrated understanding of molluscan biomineralisation

2016

Journal Article

Comparative morphological analysis of the immature stages of the grass blue butterflies Zizeeria and Zizina (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Gurung, Raj D., Iwata, Masaki, Hiyama, Atsuki, Taira, Wataru, Degnan, Bernard, Degnan, Sandie and Otaki, Joji M. (2016). Comparative morphological analysis of the immature stages of the grass blue butterflies Zizeeria and Zizina (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Zoological Science, 33 (4), 384-400. doi: 10.2108/zs150171

Comparative morphological analysis of the immature stages of the grass blue butterflies Zizeeria and Zizina (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

2016

Journal Article

The widespread prevalence and functional significance of silk-like structural proteins in metazoan biological materials

McDougall, Carmel, Woodcroft, Ben J. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). The widespread prevalence and functional significance of silk-like structural proteins in metazoan biological materials. PLoS ONE, 11 (7) e0159128, e0159128. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159128

The widespread prevalence and functional significance of silk-like structural proteins in metazoan biological materials

2016

Journal Article

Identification of a female spawn-associated Kazal-type inhibitor from the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina

Wang, Tianfang, Nuurai, Parinyaporn, McDougall, Carmel, York, Patrick S., Bose, Utpal, Degnan, Bernard M. and Cummins, Scott F. (2016). Identification of a female spawn-associated Kazal-type inhibitor from the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Journal of Peptide Science, 22 (7), 461-470. doi: 10.1002/psc.2887

Identification of a female spawn-associated Kazal-type inhibitor from the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina

2016

Journal Article

Sea shell diversity and rapidly evolving secretomes: insights into the evolution of biomineralization

Kocot, Kevin M., Aguilera, Felipe, McDougall, Carmel, Jackson, Daniel J. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). Sea shell diversity and rapidly evolving secretomes: insights into the evolution of biomineralization. Frontiers in Zoology, 13 (23) 23, 23. doi: 10.1186/s12983-016-0155-z

Sea shell diversity and rapidly evolving secretomes: insights into the evolution of biomineralization

2016

Journal Article

Bilaterian-like promoters in the highly compact Amphimedon queenslandica genome

Fernandez-Valverde, Selene L. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). Bilaterian-like promoters in the highly compact Amphimedon queenslandica genome. Scientific Reports, 6 (Art No.: 22496) 22496, 22496. doi: 10.1038/srep22496

Bilaterian-like promoters in the highly compact Amphimedon queenslandica genome

2016

Journal Article

The ontogeny of choanocyte chambers during metamorphosis in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica

Sogabe, Shunsuke, Nakanishi, Nagayasu and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). The ontogeny of choanocyte chambers during metamorphosis in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica. Evodevo, 7 (6) 6, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s13227-016-0042-x

The ontogeny of choanocyte chambers during metamorphosis in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica

2016

Journal Article

The diversification of the basic leucine zipper family in eukaryotes correlates with the evolution of multicellularity

Jindrich, Katia and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). The diversification of the basic leucine zipper family in eukaryotes correlates with the evolution of multicellularity. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 16 (28) 28, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12862-016-0598-z

The diversification of the basic leucine zipper family in eukaryotes correlates with the evolution of multicellularity

2016

Journal Article

Host and donor influence on pearls produced by the silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima

McDougall, Carmel, Moase, Patrick and Degnan, Bernard M. (2016). Host and donor influence on pearls produced by the silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima. Aquaculture, 450, 313-320. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.08.008

Host and donor influence on pearls produced by the silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima

2016

Conference Publication

One genome, two body plans: how do larval and adult gene expression profiles differ in the sponge WAmphimedon queenslandica?

Hatleberg, W. L., Degnan, S. M. and Degnan, B. M. (2016). One genome, two body plans: how do larval and adult gene expression profiles differ in the sponge WAmphimedon queenslandica?. Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Integrative-and-Comparative-Biology (SICB), Portland, OR, United States, 3-7 January 2016. CARY: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.

One genome, two body plans: how do larval and adult gene expression profiles differ in the sponge WAmphimedon queenslandica?

2015

Journal Article

The ParaHox gene Gsx patterns the apical organ and central nervous system but not the foregut in scaphopod and cephalopod mollusks

Wollesen, Tim, Rodriguez Monje, Sonia Victoria, McDougall, Carmel, Degnan, Bernard M. and Wanninger, Andreas (2015). The ParaHox gene Gsx patterns the apical organ and central nervous system but not the foregut in scaphopod and cephalopod mollusks. EvoDevo, 6 (1) 41, 41. doi: 10.1186/s13227-015-0037-z

The ParaHox gene Gsx patterns the apical organ and central nervous system but not the foregut in scaphopod and cephalopod mollusks

2015

Journal Article

Ancestral role of Pax2/5/8 in molluscan brain and multimodal sensory system development

Wollesen, Tim, Rodriguez Monje, Sonia Victoria, Todt, Christiane, Degnan, Bernard M. and Wanninger, Andreas (2015). Ancestral role of Pax2/5/8 in molluscan brain and multimodal sensory system development. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 15 (10) 231, 1-19. doi: 10.1186/s12862-015-0505-z

Ancestral role of Pax2/5/8 in molluscan brain and multimodal sensory system development

2015

Journal Article

Dynamic and Widespread lncRNA Expression in a Sponge and the Origin of Animal Complexity

Gaiti, Federico, Fernandez-Valverde, Selene L., Nakanishi, Nagayasu, Calcino, Andrew D., Yanai, Itai, Tanurdzic, Milos and Degnan, Bernard M. (2015). Dynamic and Widespread lncRNA Expression in a Sponge and the Origin of Animal Complexity. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 32 (9), 2367-2382. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msv117

Dynamic and Widespread lncRNA Expression in a Sponge and the Origin of Animal Complexity

2015

Journal Article

Deep developmental transcriptome sequencing uncovers numerous new genes and enhances gene annotation in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica

Fernandez-Valverde, Selene L., Calcino, Andrew D. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2015). Deep developmental transcriptome sequencing uncovers numerous new genes and enhances gene annotation in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica. BMC Genomics, 16 (1) 387, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12864-015-1588-z

Deep developmental transcriptome sequencing uncovers numerous new genes and enhances gene annotation in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica

2015

Book Chapter

Porifera

Degnan, Bernard M., Adamska, Maja, Richards, Gemma S., Larroux, Claire, Leininger, Sven, Bergum, Brith, Calcino, Andrew, Taylor, Karin, Nakanishi, Nagayasu and Degnan, Sandie M. (2015). Porifera. Evolutionary developmental biology of invertebrates 1: introduction, non-bilateria, acoelomorpha, xenoturbellida, chaetognatha. (pp. 65-106) edited by Andreas Wanninger. Vienna, Austria: Springer Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-3-7091-1862-7

Porifera

2015

Book Chapter

How to build an allorecognition system: a guide for prospective multicellular Organisms

Grice, Laura F. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2015). How to build an allorecognition system: a guide for prospective multicellular Organisms. Evolutionary transitions to multicellular life. (pp. 395-424) edited by Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo and Aurora M. Nedelcu. New York, NY, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9642-2_19

How to build an allorecognition system: a guide for prospective multicellular Organisms

2015

Journal Article

The origin of the ADAR gene family and animal RNA editing

Grice, Laura F. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2015). The origin of the ADAR gene family and animal RNA editing. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 15 (1) 4, 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12862-015-0279-3

The origin of the ADAR gene family and animal RNA editing

2015

Conference Publication

Sensory flask cells in sponge larvae regulate metamorphosis via calcium signaling

Nakanishi, Nagayasu, Stoupin, Daniel, Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2015). Sensory flask cells in sponge larvae regulate metamorphosis via calcium signaling. Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv014

Sensory flask cells in sponge larvae regulate metamorphosis via calcium signaling

2015

Conference Publication

Sensory biology of sponge settlement and metamorphosis: towards defining the baseline for nervous system evolution

Nakanishi, N., Degnan, S. M. and Degnan, B. M. (2015). Sensory biology of sponge settlement and metamorphosis: towards defining the baseline for nervous system evolution. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach Fl, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Sensory biology of sponge settlement and metamorphosis: towards defining the baseline for nervous system evolution

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Origin and evolution of animal-bacterial symbiosis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Innovation Program
    Great Barrier Reef Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Evolution of environmental regulation of cell states in animal life cycles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Marine sponge-microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Brightfield and Fluorescent High Speed and Throughput Slide Scanner for biological, medical, materials science, and agricultural applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Biocontrol of crown-of-thorns starfish using genomics and proteomics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Advanced imaging with wide spectrum molecular, quantitative and morphological applications in biological research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    How do sponges and bacteria together maintain productivity on coral reefs?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Origin of the animal regulatory genome
    UQ Development Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Evolutionary origin of stem cells and the emergence of animal complexity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Translating genomic discoveries into improved commercial outcomes for the South Sea Pearl industry
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Sequencing, assembly and annotation of the crown-of-thorns starfish genome
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2014
    How do Molluscs get calcium to their shells?
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Origin of genomically-encoded communication in animals: deciphering the role of peptide signalling in the sea sponge Amphimedon queenslandica
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2018
    Origin, evolution and roles of cardinal genomic features underpinning animal multicellular complexity
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    ResTeach Funding 2012 0.1 FTE School of Biological Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Scanning electron microscope to house 3-Dimensional Sectioning Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Science on the continental shelf: Securing our deep-sea biodiversity for the future
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Tooling-up non-model organisms in the post-genomic era: equipment for the analysis of molecular and cellular processes in animals of evolutionary and commercial interest
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    Using genomic information to understand and improve the quality of the Australian South Sea Pearl
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Origin of animal sensory and nervous systems: a case study in cell type evolution
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    ResTeach 2009 0.2 FTE School of Biological Sciences
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    An investigation of the underlying mechanisms that control gender and fertility in the Moreton Bay Bug, Thenus orientalis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Heron Island Research Station Connectivity Upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008
    The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    Deep Downunder: designing a deep-sea exploration and discovery capability for Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    A High Resolution Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Australian Mirror of the UCSC Genome Database and Browser
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    CSIRO Flagship - Gonad development and sex differentiation in the abalone
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Evolution of the biofabrication of mineralized structures in animals
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The sponge genome project and the evolution of multicellularity: using comparative genomics and developmental biology to reconstruct the first animals
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Enhancing the pearl: understanding the molecular genetics of pearl lustre, colour and size
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Aquaculture of the tropical abalone: identifying and selecting for factors promoting high settlement, survival and growth
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    The Link Between Environmental Stress And Disease Onset In Prawn Aquaculture
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Purchase of a biological transmission electron microscope (TEM)
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    The making of a sea shell: function and evolution of genes encoding calcareous architectures of phenomenal strength purity and beauty
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Early animal evolution: reconstructing the last common metazoan ancestor through the analysis of developmental and structural genes in sponges
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Biofabrication of High-performance Marine Structures: Characterisaton of Shell-matrix Genes Required for Production of the Strong Microlaminates fo the Abalone Shell
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Enhancing aquaculture production of the tropical abalone using complementary genetic and environmental approaches
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Understanding the molecular basis of marine invertebrate larval settlement and metamorphosis using complementary molecular, developmental, chemical and ecological approaches
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2004
    The basis of white phase of the western rock lobster (panulirus cygnus)
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Evolution of Animal Body Plans as Revealed by Developmental Gene Expression Patterns in Molluscs, Annelids and other Lophotrochozoans.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Determining factors that control sponge infaunal community structure.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Allelopathic effects between the tropical marine sponge Haliclona sp. and other marine invertebrates
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Analysis of the expression of POU genes in rapidly growing and biologically castrated tropical abalone
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2000
    Cultivation of tropical abalone (haliotis asinina): development of a new mariculture industry for tropical Australia
    M G Kailis Exports Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Cultivation of the Tropical Abalone (Haliotis Asinina): Development of a new Mariculture Industry for Tropical Australia
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Cultivation of the tropical abalone (haliotis asinina): development of a new mariculture industry for tropical Australia
    Mr D.J. Christmas
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Cultivation of the tropical abalone (haliotis asinina): development of a new mariculture industry for tropical Australia
    ARC (Australian Postgraduate Award-Industry)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    The evolution of pattern formation in chordates: The effect of retinoic acid on gene expression and morphogenesis in the ascidian
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Identifying regulators of growth and reporduction in the tropical abalone: mapping transcription factor genes in brain ganglia
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    The role of HOX genes in the most primitive metazoans, the sponges
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Aquaculture of the tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina: Systematic production of abalone seed, and genetic analysis of growth and development
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    The molecular basis of inducible muscle cell dedifferentiation in the lower chordate Herdmania momus
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Bernard Degnan is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Bernard Degnan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Aquaculture
  • Biotechnology and aquaculture
  • Comparative genomices
  • Evolution

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