How did butterflies get their stripes and spots?

How do cellular signals establish spatial boundaries in growing tissues?​
​We know that cell signaling pathways establish the spatial information that determines the shape and size of the different elements in the wing, but we do not know how.​

Cell signals underlying wing shapes. Previous work identified genes such as WntA and wingless as critical components of establishing different wing color pattern elements in various species (Mazo-Vargas et al. 2017; Martin and Reed 2010, 2014). However, we do not know how these genes generate spatial boundaries between wing patterns. Thus, we are interested in using genetic manipulations and transcriptomics to identify the signaling pathways behind the butterfly wing color shapes. 

Regulation of cell signals.
We understand that a complex network of cis-regulatory elements fine-tunes WntA expression in the wings of various species (Mazo-Vargas et al., 2022). But how does this intricate system function and evolve to produce such extensive variation in gene expression, resulting in markedly different wing color patterns? To address this question, we aim to employ single nuclei epigenomics profiling, genetic functional experiments, and bioinformatics methodologies to pinpoint the regulatory mechanisms responsible for the evolution of wing patterns. 

​How did butterflies and moths get their tails?

What genetic changes underlie the evolution of morphological novelties?
Butterflies and moths exhibit varying hindwing epithelial projections known as 'tails,' which have independently evolved multiple times within the Lepidoptera order. While these 'tails' have been examined in specific species, uncovering roles in aerodynamics and safeguarding vital body parts, their ecological significance in many species remains enigmatic. Additionally, little is known about the developmental basis of this evolutionary novelty. Our goal is to illuminate the ecology and genetic foundation of hindwing tails in butterflies and moths. To achieve this, we will employ methods including population genetics, behavioral evaluations, single nuclei transcriptomics, and genetic functional experiments.