Molecular Characterization, Spatial Mapping, and Lineage Tracing of Post-Metamorphic Sea Urchin Cell Types and Their Developmental Dynamics

The candidate will analyze existing single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) datasets to characterize post-metamorphic cell types and investigate their developmental dynamics. The project includes the generation of cell type-specific bulk ATAC-seq datasets from pre- and post-metamorphic sea urchin stages. Using Hybridization Chain Reaction in situ hybridization (HCR-ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), the candidate will validate and spatially map post-metamorphic cell types. Finally, live imaging and transgenic approaches will be employed to trace the developmental origins and lineage relationships of these cell populations.