Dr. April Hill

Associate Professor of Biology
The Coston Family Fellow in Molecular Biology
Co-coordinator, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program
B-210 Gottwald Science Center
Office: (804) 484-1591
Fax: (804) 289-8233

Teaching:
Introduction to Biological Thinking: The Animal Genetic Toolkit
Genetics
Evolutionary Developmental Biology

Research:
Research in our lab focuses the role of conserved developmental control genes before the evolution of animal adaptations such as tissues, nervous systems, and organs. We use marine and freshwater sponges as model systems since they represent a fulcrum point in the early history of animal evolution. They are fully animal, but retain characteristics of an early experiment in multicellularity and their unique features provide a ¿ground state¿ system in which to study the evolution of animals before complex systems evolved. We ask questions such as "Which animal specific developmental control genes are present in sponges? "Are those developmental control genes involved in processes that are similar to or different from those of later evolving animals?" and "Can we determine how the function of these genes has been conserved or modified through evolution?" Our research will advance our understanding of evolutionary origins of the animal body plan, and expand our understanding of genetic regulation of the control of cell movements and tissue organization involved in body plan formation.

Education:
Ph.D., University of Houston

Selected Publications:
N. Lemoine*, N. Buell*, A. Hill, and M. Hill. (2007) Assessing the utility of sponge microbial symbiont communities as models to study global climate change: a case study with Halichondria bowerbanki. p. 419-425. In: Hajdu, E., and G. Muricy (eds.). Porifera Research: Biodiversity, Innovation, and Sustainability.
 
M. Hill, A. Hill, N. Lopez and O. Harriott (2006) Sponge-specific bacterial symbionts in the Caribbean sponge, Chondrilla nucula. Marine Biology. 148: 1221-1230.
 
A. Hill, J. Tetrault*, and M. Hill (2004) Isolation and expression analysis of a poriferan Antp-class BarX/Bsh-like homeobox gene. Development, Genes and Evolution. 214 (10): 515-523.
 
A. Hill, A. Wagner*, and M. Hill (2003) Hox and paraHox genes from the anthozoan Parazoanthus parasiticus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 28: 529-535.

M. Hill, and A. Hill (2002) “Morphological Plasticity in the tropical sponge Anthosigmella varians:  responses to predators and wave energy” Biological Bulletin. 202: 86-95.
 
M. Hill, C. Stabile*, L.K. Steffen, and A. Hill (2002) “Toxic Effects of Endocrine Disrupters on Two Species of Freshwater Sponge: Common Developmental Abnormalities.” Environmental Pollution. 117: 295-300.


*undergraduate co-authors