Experimental Zoology Group
The Experimental Zoology Group studies how moving animals function in their complex natural environment. We do this by combining physics, engineering, molecular techniques and modelling in a quantitative systems analysis. This provides insights that we use to offer solutions for societal problems.
Chair holder
Recent publications
-
Repeated independent origins of the placenta reveal convergent and divergent organ evolution within a single fish family (Poeciliidae) : Divergence in the evolution of the teleost placenta
Science Advances (2023), Volume: 9, Issue: 34 - ISSN 2375-2548 -
Tracking the flight and landing behaviour of western flower thrips in response to single and two-colour cues
Scientific Reports (2023), Volume: 13, Issue: 1 - ISSN 2045-2322 -
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Enhancement of Early Maturation and Consequences for Reproductive Success of Feminized European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Fishes (2023), Volume: 8, Issue: 6 - ISSN 2410-3888 -
The induction of oocyte maturation and ovulation in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla): in vitro and in vivo comparison of progesterone with 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one
Frontiers in Physiology (2023), Volume: 14 - ISSN 1664-042X
Research
The Experimental Zoology Group studies how moving animals function in their complex natural environment.
-
Biofluid mechanics
Insects, birds and bats have amazing flight capabilities, and especially in manoeuvrability natural flyers outperform any human-made flying device. To unravel how natural flyers achieve this, we study the biomechanics, aerodynamic and control of animal flight. Our research requires a highly interdisciplinary research approach, and so our scientific team consists of biologists, physicists, and engineers.
-
Bioinspired design
Over the course of 3.8 billion years, nature has evolved versatile solutions for survival. By taking inspiration from nature, many engineers and designers have translated such solutions to human-made devices, structures, and technologies
-
Developmental zoology
How do cells in multicellular organisms (self-)organize to form a complex body plan with an amazing functional repertoire, including reproduction, the repair after injuries, and navigation to find food and mating partners ? We combine biological experiments in a tight feedback loop with physics-inspired theory to understand principles of communication and information processing from stem cells to neurons.
-
Evolutionary biology
A staggering diversity of complex reproductive strategies has evolved in livebearing animals. The evolution of these innovative reproductive adaptations is one of the most significant phenomena in the rise of multicellular organisms.
Education
We ignite students' curiosity in unravelling the secrets of animal function, while unleashing their analytical prowess with a quantitative edge. See below for more information.
