Professor Sandie Degnan
Professor

Sandie Degnan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69005

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

Animal cell and molecular biology Animal developmental and reproductive biology Animal immunology Behavioural ecology Bioinformatics and computational biology Biological Sciences Biological adaptation Developmental genetics (incl. sex determination) Ecology Evolution of developmental systems Gene expression (incl. microarray and other genome-wide approaches) Genetic immunology Genetics Genetics not elsewhere classified Genomics Invertebrate biology Life histories Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) Microbial ecology Microbiology Molecular evolution Phylogeny and comparative analysis Zoology

Search Professor Sandie Degnan’s works on UQ eSpace

99 works between 1992 and 2024
All (99) Journal Article (84) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (8) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 99 works

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

Seasonal tissue-specific gene expression in wild crown-of-thorns starfish reveals reproductive and stress-related transcriptional systems

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

Potential for host-symbiont communication via neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in an aneural animal, the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica

Featured

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

Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish

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

Antioxidant enzymes that target hydrogen peroxide are conserved across the animal kingdom, from sponges to mammals

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

How larvae and life cycles evolve

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

Sex-specific expression of pheromones and other signals in gravid starfish

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

Distribution and diversity of ROS-generating enzymes across the animal kingdom, with a focus on sponges (Porifera)

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

Gene activation of metazoan Fox transcription factors at the onset of metamorphosis in the marine demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica

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

Ribosomal RNA-depletion provides an efficient method for successful dual RNA-Seq expression profiling of a marine sponge holobiont

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

Phototransduction in a marine sponge provides insights into the origin of animal vision

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

Distal regulation, silencers, and a shared combinatorial syntax are hallmarks of animal embryogenesis

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

Grand challenges in coevolution

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

Staining and Tracking Methods for Studying Sponge Cell Dynamics

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

Arginine biosynthesis by a bacterial symbiont enables nitric oxide production and facilitates larval settlement in the marine-sponge host

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

Molecular and behavioural evidence that interdependent photo ‐ and chemosensory systems regulate larval settlement in a marine sponge

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

Co-expression of synaptic genes in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica uncovers ancient neural submodules

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

Author correction: The mid-developmental transition and the evolution of animal body plans (Nature, (2016), 531, 7596, (637-641), 10.1038/nature16994)

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

Convergent evolution of a vertebrate-like methylome in a marine sponge

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

Pluripotency and the origin of animal multicellularity

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

The first identification of complete Eph-ephrin signalling in ctenophores and sponges reveals a role for neofunctionalization in the emergence of signalling domains

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Origin and evolution of animal-bacterial symbiosis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Evolution of environmental regulation of cell states in animal life cycles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Innovation Program
    Great Barrier Reef Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    New Tools for Advancing Model Systems in Aquatic Symbiosis: Establishing marine sponges as models for evolutionary, ecological and mechanistic aspects of animal-bacterial symbiosis
    Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Marine sponge-microbe interactions and the origin of animal innate immunity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    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 - 2019
    Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
    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
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    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 - 2014
    Genomic tools for the emerging tropical rock lobster aquaculture industry
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Larval dispersal and settlement mechanisms in the first genome-enabled Australian marine animal, Amphimedon queenslandica (Porifera)
    ARC Discovery 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
  • 2009
    Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    The essence of being an animal: sponge allorecognition and the evolution of individuality
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Heron Island Research Station Connectivity Upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    Deep Downunder: designing a deep-sea exploration and discovery capability for Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    CSIRO Flagship - Gonad development and sex differentiation in the abalone
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    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 - 2007
    Variation in larval gene expression in a marine invertebrate: implications for population divergence via differential settlement response
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Genetic and phenotypic consequences of colonisation of oceanic islands by silvereyes
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Phylogenetic status and population structure of the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina: a preliminary molecular analysis
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Sandie Degnan is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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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