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)

141 - 160 of 298 works

2008

Journal Article

The demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica: Reconstructing the ancestral metazoan genome and deciphering the origin of animal multicellularity

Degnan, Bernard M., Adamska, Maja, Craigie, Alina, Degnan, Sandie M., Fahey, Bryony, Gauthier, Marie, Hooper, John N. A., Larroux, Claire, Leys, Sally P., Lovas, Erica and Richards, Gemma S. (2008). The demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica: Reconstructing the ancestral metazoan genome and deciphering the origin of animal multicellularity. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols, 3 (12), 1-6. doi: 10.1101/pdb.emo108

The demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica: Reconstructing the ancestral metazoan genome and deciphering the origin of animal multicellularity

2008

Journal Article

Will Increased Storm Disturbance Affect the Biodiversity of Intertidal, Nonscleractinian Sessile Fauna on Coral Reefs?

Walker, S.J., Degnan, B. M., Hooper, J.N.A. and Skilleter, G. A. (2008). Will Increased Storm Disturbance Affect the Biodiversity of Intertidal, Nonscleractinian Sessile Fauna on Coral Reefs?. Global Change Biology, 14 (11), 2755-2770. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01644.x

Will Increased Storm Disturbance Affect the Biodiversity of Intertidal, Nonscleractinian Sessile Fauna on Coral Reefs?

2008

Journal Article

Demosponge and Sea Anemone Fibrillar Collagen Diversity Reveals the Early Emergence of A/C Clades and the Maintenance of the Modular Structure of Type V/XI Collagens from Sponge to Human

Exposito, Jean-Yves, Larroux, Claire, Cluzel, Caroline, Valcourt, Ulrich, Lethias, Claire and Degnan, Bernard M. (2008). Demosponge and Sea Anemone Fibrillar Collagen Diversity Reveals the Early Emergence of A/C Clades and the Maintenance of the Modular Structure of Type V/XI Collagens from Sponge to Human. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (42), 28226-28235. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M804573200

Demosponge and Sea Anemone Fibrillar Collagen Diversity Reveals the Early Emergence of A/C Clades and the Maintenance of the Modular Structure of Type V/XI Collagens from Sponge to Human

2008

Journal Article

Early origins and evolution of microRNAs and Piwi-interacting RNAs in animals

Grimson, A., Srivastava, M., Fahey, B., Woodcroft, B., Chiang, H.R., King, N., Degnan, B.M., Rokhsar, D.S. and Bartel, D.P. (2008). Early origins and evolution of microRNAs and Piwi-interacting RNAs in animals. Nature, 455 (7217), 1193-1197. doi: 10.1038/nature07415

Early origins and evolution of microRNAs and Piwi-interacting RNAs in animals

2008

Journal Article

Sponge Genes Provide New Insight into the Evolutionary Origin of the Neurogenic Circuit

Richards, Gemma S., Simionato, Elena, Perron, Muriel, Adamska, Maja, Vervoort, Michel and Degnan, Bernard M. (2008). Sponge Genes Provide New Insight into the Evolutionary Origin of the Neurogenic Circuit. Current Biology, 18 (15), 1156-1161. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.06.074

Sponge Genes Provide New Insight into the Evolutionary Origin of the Neurogenic Circuit

2008

Journal Article

Impact of ecologically relevant heat shocks on Hsp developmental function in the vetigastropod Haliotis asinina

Gunter, H. and Degnan, B. M. (2008). Impact of ecologically relevant heat shocks on Hsp developmental function in the vetigastropod Haliotis asinina. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B-Molecular and Developmental Evolution, 310B (5), 450-464. doi: 10.1002/jez.b.21217

Impact of ecologically relevant heat shocks on Hsp developmental function in the vetigastropod Haliotis asinina

2008

Journal Article

Does the high gene density in the Sponge NK Homeobox gene cluster reflect limited regulatory capacity?

Fahey, B., Larroux, C., Woodcroft, B. and Degnan, B.M. (2008). Does the high gene density in the Sponge NK Homeobox gene cluster reflect limited regulatory capacity?. Biological Bulletin, 214 (3), 205-217. doi: 10.2307/25470664

Does the high gene density in the Sponge NK Homeobox gene cluster reflect limited regulatory capacity?

2008

Journal Article

Deciphering the fossil record of early bilaterian embryonic development in light of experimental taphonomy

Gostling, N. J., Thomas, C., Greenwood, J. M., Dong, X., Bengston, S., Raff, E.C., Degnan, B. M., Stampanoni, M and Donoghue, P.C.J. (2008). Deciphering the fossil record of early bilaterian embryonic development in light of experimental taphonomy. Evolution & Development, 10 (3), 339-349. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-142X.2008.00242.x

Deciphering the fossil record of early bilaterian embryonic development in light of experimental taphonomy

2008

Journal Article

Control of shell colour changes in the lobster, Panulirus cygnus

Wade, N.M., Melville-Smith, R., Degnan, B. M. and Hall, M.R. (2008). Control of shell colour changes in the lobster, Panulirus cygnus. Journal of Experimental Biology, 211 (9), 1512-1519. doi: 10.1242/jeb.012930

Control of shell colour changes in the lobster, Panulirus cygnus

2008

Journal Article

Early activation of adult organ differentiation during delay of metamorphosis in solitary ascidians, and consequences for juvenile growth

Jacobs, M.W., Degnan, B.M., Bishop, J.D.D. and Strathmann, R.R. (2008). Early activation of adult organ differentiation during delay of metamorphosis in solitary ascidians, and consequences for juvenile growth. Invertebrate Biology, 127 (2), 217-236. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7410.2008.00125.x

Early activation of adult organ differentiation during delay of metamorphosis in solitary ascidians, and consequences for juvenile growth

2008

Journal Article

Genesis and expansion of metazoan transcription factor gene classes

Larroux, C., Luke, G. N., Koopman, P., Rokhsar, D. S., Shimeld, S. M. and Degnan, B. M. (2008). Genesis and expansion of metazoan transcription factor gene classes. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 25 (5), 980-996. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msn047

Genesis and expansion of metazoan transcription factor gene classes

2008

Journal Article

Characterization of Aplysia Alb-1, a candidate water-borne protein pheromone released during egg laying

Cummins, S. F., Degnan, B. M. and Nagle, G. T. (2008). Characterization of Aplysia Alb-1, a candidate water-borne protein pheromone released during egg laying. Peptides, 29 (2), 152-161. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.07.031

Characterization of Aplysia Alb-1, a candidate water-borne protein pheromone released during egg laying

2008

Book Chapter

Molluscan Evolutionary Development

Wanninger, Andreas, Koope, Demian, Moshel-Lynch, Sharon and Degnan, Bernard M. (2008). Molluscan Evolutionary Development. Phylogeny and Evolution of the Mollusca. (pp. 427-444) edited by Winston F. Ponder and David R. Lindberg. United States: University of California Press.

Molluscan Evolutionary Development

2008

Journal Article

The transcription factor NF-κB in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica : insights on the evolutionary origin of the Rel homology domain

Gauthier, M. and Degnan, B.M. (2008). The transcription factor NF-κB in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica : insights on the evolutionary origin of the Rel homology domain. Development Genes and Evolution, 218 (1), 23-32. doi: 10.1007/s00427-007-0197-5

The transcription factor NF-κB in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica : insights on the evolutionary origin of the Rel homology domain

2008

Journal Article

Partitioning of genetically distinct cell populations in chimeric juveniles of the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica

Gauthier, Marie and Degnan, Bernard M. (2008). Partitioning of genetically distinct cell populations in chimeric juveniles of the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 32 (11), 1270-1280. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2008.04.002

Partitioning of genetically distinct cell populations in chimeric juveniles of the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica

2007

Journal Article

The role of MAPK signaling in patterning and establishing axial symmetry in the gastropod Haliotis asinina

Koop, Demian, Richards, Gemma S., Wanninger, Andreas, Gunter, Helen M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2007). The role of MAPK signaling in patterning and establishing axial symmetry in the gastropod Haliotis asinina. Developmental Biology, 311 (1), 200-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.08.035

The role of MAPK signaling in patterning and establishing axial symmetry in the gastropod Haliotis asinina

2007

Journal Article

The origins of novel protein interactions during animal opsin evolution

Plachetzki, David C., Degnan, Bernard M. and Oakley, Todd H. (2007). The origins of novel protein interactions during animal opsin evolution. PLoS One, 2 (10) e1054, e1054.1-e1054.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001054

The origins of novel protein interactions during animal opsin evolution

2007

Journal Article

Aplysia temptin - the ' glue ' in the water-borne attractin pheromone complex

Cummins, Scott F., Xie, Fang, de Vries, Melissa R., Annangudi, Suresh P., Misra, Milind, Degnan, Bernard M., Sweedler, Jonathan V., Nagle, Gregg T. and Schein, Catherine H. (2007). Aplysia temptin - the ' glue ' in the water-borne attractin pheromone complex. The FEBS Journal, 274 (20), 5425-5437. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.06070.x

Aplysia temptin - the ' glue ' in the water-borne attractin pheromone complex

2007

Journal Article

Sponge Paleogenomics Reveals an Ancient Role for Carbonic Anhydrase in Skeletogenesis

Jackson, Daniel J., Macis, Luciana, Reitner, Joachim, Degnan, Bernard M. and Worheide, Gert (2007). Sponge Paleogenomics Reveals an Ancient Role for Carbonic Anhydrase in Skeletogenesis. Science, 316 (5833), 1893-1895. doi: 10.1126/science.1141560

Sponge Paleogenomics Reveals an Ancient Role for Carbonic Anhydrase in Skeletogenesis

2007

Journal Article

A PL10 vasa-like gene in the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus (Bate) is expressed during development in the adult gonad

Sellars, M. J., Lyons, R. E., Grewe, P. M., Vuocolo, T., Leeton, L., Coman, G. J., Degnan, B. M. and Preston, N. P. (2007). A PL10 vasa-like gene in the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus (Bate) is expressed during development in the adult gonad. Marine Biotechnology, 9 (3), 377-387. doi: 10.1007/s10126-007-6118-9

A PL10 vasa-like gene in the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus (Bate) is expressed during development in the adult gonad

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
    ARC (Australian Postgraduate Award-Industry)
    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
    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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au