MULTICELLGENOMEBACK TO THE STORY ↙

OPENING THE TOOLKIT

Evidence to read.
Systems to use.

Publications, genomes, experimental tools and visual resources for exploring the unicellular ancestry of animals.

Open the resources

THE RESOURCE MAP

From an idea
to a reusable system.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

The papers behind
the platform.

A curated route through the work most closely connected to animal origins, emerging model systems and the evolution of the animal toolkit.

23

selected papers
in view

2026
Discovery · Cell biology

A unicellular relative links aggregative multicellularity to animal origins

Ministeria vibransNature

01
2026
Discovery · Cell biology

Beyond Diffusion: Bayesian Learning Strategies in Single-Cell Life

Capsaspora owczarzakiPRX Life

02
2026
Perspective · Evolution

A smartphone analogy to explore the origin of animals

Conceptual perspectiveThe EMBO Journal

03
2026
Discovery · Evolution

Animals have expanded the evolutionary legacy of unicellular ancestors in blood cells

Holozoa · MetazoaPNAS

04
2025
Tool · Cell biology

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in Corallochytrium limacisporum

Corallochytrium limacisporumOpen Biology

05
2024
Perspective · Evolution

Ichthyosporea: a window into the origin of animals

IchthyosporeaCommunications Biology

06
2023
Discovery · Cell biology

Chemical factors induce aggregative multicellularity in a close unicellular relative of animals

Capsaspora owczarzakiPNAS

07
2023
Perspective · Evolution

The origin of metazoan multicellularity: a potential microbial black swan event

Conceptual perspectiveAnnual Review of Microbiology

08
2022
Discovery · Genomes

Divergent genomic trajectories predate the origin of animals and fungi

OpisthokontaNature

09
2021
Tool · Cell biology

Stable transfection in protist Corallochytrium limacisporum identifies novel cellular features

Corallochytrium limacisporumCurrent Biology

10
2020
Tool · Cell biology

Genetic tool development in marine protists: emerging model organisms for experimental cell biology

Emerging protist modelsNature Methods

11
2020
Discovery · Cell biology

Integrin-mediated adhesion in the unicellular holozoan Capsaspora owczarzaki

Capsaspora owczarzakiCurrent Biology

12
2019
Discovery · Cell biology

A unicellular relative of animals generates a layer of polarized cells by actomyosin-dependent cellularization

Sphaeroforma arcticaeLife

13
2018
Tool · Cell biology

Transfection of Capsaspora owczarzaki, a close unicellular relative of animals

Capsaspora owczarzakiDevelopment

14
2018
Discovery · Cell biology

Decoupling of nuclear division cycles and cell size during coenocytic growth

Sphaeroforma arcticaCurrent Biology

15
2017
Discovery · Genomes

Dynamics of genomic innovation in the unicellular ancestry of animals

Unicellular HolozoaeLife

16
2016
Discovery · Regulation

The dynamic regulatory genome of Capsaspora and the origin of animal multicellularity

Capsaspora owczarzakiCell

17
2016
Discovery · Regulation

High-throughput proteomics reveals the unicellular roots of animal phosphosignaling and cell differentiation

Capsaspora owczarzakiDevelopmental Cell

18
2015
Discovery · Evolution

Phylogenomics reveals convergent evolution of lifestyles in close relatives of animals and fungi

OpisthokontaCurrent Biology

19
2013
Tool · Cell biology

Development of ichthyosporeans sheds light on the origin of metazoan multicellularity

Creolimax fragrantissimaDevelopmental Biology

20
2013
Discovery · Regulation

Early evolution of the T-box transcription factor family

Capsaspora · XenopusPNAS

21
2013
Discovery · Genomes

The Capsaspora genome reveals a complex unicellular prehistory of animals

Capsaspora owczarzakiNature Communications

22
2012
Discovery · Regulation

Genomic survey of premetazoans shows deep conservation of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases

Capsaspora · MinisteriaScience Signaling

23

For the complete publication list, see: