![Professor Sandie Degnan](/sites/default/files/profiles/724.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Evolutionary and ecological genomics of marine invertebrate animals.
Animals evolve because their genomes need to respond to the constantly changing environment presented by both their external habitat and their internal microbial symbionts. Over evolutionary time, these different factors interact during development, when the animal body plan is being established, to generate the extraordinary animal diversity that graces our planet. In ecological time, early life history stages must detect and respond to the precise nature of their environment to generate a locally-adapted functional phenotype. Using coral reef invertebrates from phyla that span the animal kingdom, we study these gene-environment interactions using genomic, molecular and cellular approaches combined with behavioural ecology in natural populations. We work mostly with embryonic and larval life history stages of indirect developers, as these are crucial to the survival, connectivity, and evolution of marine populations. When not immersed in the molecular or computer lab, we are lucky enough to be immersed in the ocean, often in beautiful places!
Availability
- Professor Sandie Degnan is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Works
Search Professor Sandie Degnan’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Seasonal tissue-specific gene expression in wild crown-of-thorns starfish reveals reproductive and stress-related transcriptional systems
Morin, Marie, Jönsson, Mathias, Wang, Conan K., Craik, David J., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2024). Seasonal tissue-specific gene expression in wild crown-of-thorns starfish reveals reproductive and stress-related transcriptional systems. PLOS Biology, 22 (5) e3002620, e3002620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002620
2023
Journal Article
Potential for host-symbiont communication via neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in an aneural animal, the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Xiang, Xueyan, Vilar Gomez, Arturo A., Blomberg, Simone P., Yuan, Huifang, Degnan, Bernard M. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2023). Potential for host-symbiont communication via neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in an aneural animal, the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica. Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 17 ARTN 1250694, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1250694
2023
Journal Article
Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish
Morin, Marie, Jönsson, Mathias, Wang, Conan K., Craik, David J., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2023). Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish. Molecular Ecology, 32 (13), 3541-3556. doi: 10.1111/mec.16947
2023
Journal Article
Antioxidant enzymes that target hydrogen peroxide are conserved across the animal kingdom, from sponges to mammals
Hewitt, Olivia H. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2023). Antioxidant enzymes that target hydrogen peroxide are conserved across the animal kingdom, from sponges to mammals. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 2510, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29304-6
2023
Journal Article
How larvae and life cycles evolve
Degnan, Bernard M. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2023). How larvae and life cycles evolve. Trends in Genetics, 39 (7), 528-530. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.03.008
2022
Journal Article
Sex-specific expression of pheromones and other signals in gravid starfish
Jönsson, Mathias, Morin, Marie, Wang, Conan K., Craik, David J., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2022). Sex-specific expression of pheromones and other signals in gravid starfish. BMC Biology, 20 (1) 288, 1-18. doi: 10.1186/s12915-022-01491-0
2022
Journal Article
Distribution and diversity of ROS-generating enzymes across the animal kingdom, with a focus on sponges (Porifera)
Hewitt, Olivia H. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2022). Distribution and diversity of ROS-generating enzymes across the animal kingdom, with a focus on sponges (Porifera). BMC Biology, 20 (1) 212, 212. doi: 10.1186/s12915-022-01414-z
2022
Journal Article
Gene activation of metazoan Fox transcription factors at the onset of metamorphosis in the marine demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Yuan, Huifang, Hatleberg, William L., Degnan, Bernard M. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2022). Gene activation of metazoan Fox transcription factors at the onset of metamorphosis in the marine demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica. Development, Growth and Differentiation, 64 (8), 455-468. doi: 10.1111/dgd.12812
2022
Journal Article
Ribosomal RNA-depletion provides an efficient method for successful dual RNA-Seq expression profiling of a marine sponge holobiont
Xiang, Xueyan, Poli, Davide, Degnan, Bernard M. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2022). Ribosomal RNA-depletion provides an efficient method for successful dual RNA-Seq expression profiling of a marine sponge holobiont. Marine Biotechnology, 24 (4), 722-732. doi: 10.1007/s10126-022-10138-8
2022
Journal Article
Phototransduction in a marine sponge provides insights into the origin of animal vision
Wong, Eunice, Anggono, Victor, Williams, Stephen R., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2022). Phototransduction in a marine sponge provides insights into the origin of animal vision. iScience, 25 (6) 104436, 104436. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104436
2022
Journal Article
Distal regulation, silencers, and a shared combinatorial syntax are hallmarks of animal embryogenesis
Cornejo-Paramo, Paola, Roper, Kathrein, Degnan, Sandie, Degnan, Bernard and Wong, Emily S (2022). Distal regulation, silencers, and a shared combinatorial syntax are hallmarks of animal embryogenesis. Genome Research, 32 (3), 474-487. doi: 10.1101/gr.275864.121
2022
Journal Article
Grand challenges in coevolution
Medina, Mónica, Baker, David M., Baltrus, David A., Bennett, Gordon M., Cardini, Ulisse, Correa, Adrienne M. S., Degnan, Sandie M., Christa, Gregor, Kim, Eunsoo, Li, Jingchun, Nash, David R., Marzinelli, Ezequiel, Nishiguchi, Michele, Prada, Carlos, Roth, Melissa S., Saha, Mahasweta, Smith, Christopher I., Theis, Kevin R. and Zaneveld, Jesse (2022). Grand challenges in coevolution. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9 618251. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.618251
2020
Book Chapter
Staining and Tracking Methods for Studying Sponge Cell Dynamics
Borchiellini, Carole, Degnan, Sandie M., Le Goff, Emilie, Rocher, Caroline, Vernale, Amélie, Baghdiguian, Stephen, Séjourné, Nina, Marschal, Florent, Le Bivic, André, Godefroy, Nelly, Degnan, Bernard M. and Renard, Emmanuelle (2020). Staining and Tracking Methods for Studying Sponge Cell Dynamics. Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin and Other Marine Invertebrates . (pp. 81-97) edited by David J. Carroll and Stephen A. Stricker. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0974-3_5
2020
Journal Article
Arginine biosynthesis by a bacterial symbiont enables nitric oxide production and facilitates larval settlement in the marine-sponge host
Song, Hao, Hewitt, Olivia H. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2020). Arginine biosynthesis by a bacterial symbiont enables nitric oxide production and facilitates larval settlement in the marine-sponge host. Current Biology, 31 (2), 433-437.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.051
2020
Journal Article
Molecular and behavioural evidence that interdependent photo ‐ and chemosensory systems regulate larval settlement in a marine sponge
Say, Tahsha E. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2020). Molecular and behavioural evidence that interdependent photo ‐ and chemosensory systems regulate larval settlement in a marine sponge. Molecular Ecology, 29 (2) mec.15318, 247-261. doi: 10.1111/mec.15318
2019
Journal Article
Co-expression of synaptic genes in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica uncovers ancient neural submodules
Wong, Eunice, Mölter, Jan, Anggono, Victor, Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2019). Co-expression of synaptic genes in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica uncovers ancient neural submodules. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 15781, 15781. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51282-x
2019
Journal Article
Author correction: The mid-developmental transition and the evolution of animal body plans (Nature, (2016), 531, 7596, (637-641), 10.1038/nature16994)
Levin, Michal, Anavy, Leon, Cole, Alison G., Winter, Eitan, Mostov, Natalia, Khair, Sally, Senderovich, Naftalie, Kovalev, Ekaterina, Silver, David H., Feder, Martin, Fernandez-Valverde, Selene L., Nakanishi, Nagayasu, Simmons, David, Simakov, Oleg, Larsson, Tomas, Liu, Shang-Yun, Jerafi-Vider, Ayelet, Yaniv, Karina, Ryan, Joseph F., Martindale, Mark Q., Rink, Jochen C., Arendt, Detlev, Degnan, Sandie M., Degnan, Bernard M., Hashimshony, Tamar and Yanai, Itai (2019). Author correction: The mid-developmental transition and the evolution of animal body plans (Nature, (2016), 531, 7596, (637-641), 10.1038/nature16994). Nature, 575 (7782), E3-E3. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1698-x
2019
Journal Article
Convergent evolution of a vertebrate-like methylome in a marine sponge
de Mendoza, Alex, Hatleberg, William L., Pang, Kevin, Leininger, Sven, Bogdanovic, Ozren, Pflueger, Jahnvi, Buckberry, Sam, Technau, Ulrich, Hejnol, Andreas, Adamska, Maja, Degnan, Bernard M., Degnan, Sandie M. and Lister, Ryan (2019). Convergent evolution of a vertebrate-like methylome in a marine sponge. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 3 (10), 1464-1473. doi: 10.1038/s41559-019-0983-2
2019
Journal Article
Pluripotency and the origin of animal multicellularity
Sogabe, Shunsuke, Hatleberg, William L., Kocot, Kevin M., Say, Tahsha E., Stoupin, Daniel, Roper, Kathrein E., Fernandez-Valverde, Selene L., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2019). Pluripotency and the origin of animal multicellularity. Nature, 570 (7762), 519-522. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1290-4
2019
Journal Article
The first identification of complete Eph-ephrin signalling in ctenophores and sponges reveals a role for neofunctionalization in the emergence of signalling domains
Krishnan, Arunkumar, Degnan, Bernard M. and Degnan, Sandie M. (2019). The first identification of complete Eph-ephrin signalling in ctenophores and sponges reveals a role for neofunctionalization in the emergence of signalling domains. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 19 (1) 96, 96. doi: 10.1186/s12862-019-1418-z
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Sandie Degnan is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Transposon Activation as an Adaptive Stress Response in C. elegans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Ebert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding cell state changes during metamorphosis in Amphimedon queenslandica
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stefan Thor, Professor Bernard Degnan
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The role of redox signalling in regulating an animal-bacterial symbiosis
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle transition of the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica: Insights from the Fox gene family
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Diurnal and seasonal host-symbiont interactions in the coral reef demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Rix
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating host-symbiont crosstalk in the coral reef demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The nature and perception of environmental cues that orchestrate the pelago-benthic life cycle in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica: molecular and behavioural perspectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Horizontal gene transfer in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering the genomic tool-kit underlying animal-bacteria interactions: insights through the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barnes
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
The roles of morphological diversification, depth range expansions and a novel gene in the evolution of the Octocorallia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
A transcriptional perspective of NOS and HSP90 gene activity during phylogenetically divergent marine invertebrate metamorphosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2013
Master Philosophy
The characterisation of the microbiome of the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica reveals host immune responses to changes in the symbiotic bacterial community
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan, Professor Phil Hugenholtz
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering the genetic mechanisms that regulate sexual development in the abalone: Vasa, Nanos and Dmrt gene expression in the vetigastropod Haliotis asinina
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic and environmental interplay during development: Variation at metamorphosis in a natural population of the tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina (Linnaeus)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
PROCESSES LEADING TO SPECIATION IN AUSTRALIAN WET TROPICS FAUNA: DIVERGENCE AMONG THREE SIBLING LINEAGES OF SKINKS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using integrative physiology to optimise diets for sustainable aquaculture in fish
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Mechanisms of Animal-bacteria Interactions in the Sponge Amphimedon queenslandica Holobiont
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Chemosensory Communication in the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish: Towards a Green and Species-specific Biocontrol program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Victor Anggono, Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the crown-of-thorns starfish secretome to identify factors for future biocontrol systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conan Wang, Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Early evolution of the nervous system: Insights from synaptic sub-machineries and sensory behaviour in the aneural sponge, Amphimedon queenslandica
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Victor Anggono, Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
The characterization of larval homology: Transcriptomic insights into the origin and evolution of animal life cycles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling Sponge-Symbiont Metabolism
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Modifying penaeid-trawl spreading mechanisms to improve environmental efficiency
Associate Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Self-nonself recognition: Genomic and transcriptomic insights from the sponge aggregation factors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan, Professor Andrew Barnes
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Regulation of M-like proteins SiMA and SiMB of Streptococcus iniae, and potential as cross-protective vaccines in Lates calcarifer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barnes
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Growth and reproduction related neuropeptides in the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barnes, Professor Bernard Degnan
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY AND SPECIATION IN TROPICAL ABALONE, Haliotis Asinina
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Sandie Degnan directly for media enquiries about:
- ecological genetics
- marine genomics
- marine invertebrates
- marine larval biology
- marine molecular ecology
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