Lab Members
Konstantin Khalturin | Associate Research Fellow
Comparative genomics, Developmental biology, Stem cells in basal metazoa, Transgenic Hydra
Konstantin received his undergraduate degrees from St.Petersburg State University in Russia and PhD from Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel in Germany. His background is in Invertebrate Zoology and Developmental biology, focusing mainly on cnidarian models systems - Hydra and Aurelia. Following research in comparative genomics of Cnidaria at OIST in Japan, he joined the Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology in 2022. Major research interests include the evolution of complex life cycles, molecular basis of evolutionary novelties, stem cell systems and transgenic technology in cnidarian models.
konstantin.khalturin@oist.jp | khalturin@as.edu.tw | khalturin@gate.sinica.edu.tw | ICOB
Kaisar Dauyey | Postdoctoral Researcher
Evolutionary Genomics | Field-Based Omics
I assemble nature's genomic puzzles using wild samples and transcriptomes to reveal evolutionary adaptations. My work combines field expeditions with computational biology to reconstruct genomes of symbiotic clownfish and their anemone hosts. Using hybrid sequencing approaches (Pac-Bio/HI-C), I decode the molecular basis of mutualistic relationships while developing bioinformatic pipelines for non-model organisms. Current projects focus on gene networks in Entacmea quadricolor symbiosis with Amphiprion clarkii and Amphiprion frenatus. I bridge wet-lab genomics with ecological insights to understand how genomes evolve in natural partnerships.
kumanomi32@as.edu.tw |
Github
Benjamin Boumard | Postdoctoral Researcher
Stem cells | Developmental Biology and Genomics
I did my PhD in the Bardin lab at Institut Curie in Paris, where I worked on Drosophila intestinal stem cells and wing disc progenitor cells focusing on the link between gap junction connectivity, DNA damage and somatic mutations. I joined the lab in 2023 to focus on cnidarian EvoDevo and genomics working on:
- The genomics of sex determination in scyphozoan jellyfish.
- the regulation of metamorphosis initiation using Aurelia coerulea as a model organism.
ORCID
Bluesky
Kurniadi | Ph.D. Student
Metamorphosis Regulation in Aurelia | Proteomics of Stinging Cells in Different Jellyfish
Adi is enthusiastic about research and has experience in both wet and dry labs, focusing on the developmental genomics of Aurelia. He will begin his PhD in Biodiversity, concentrating on the topics of metamorphosis and the proteomics of stinging cells in Aurelia. He is open to discussions and seeks insights.
kurniadi@gate.sinica.edu.tw | 
Linkedin
Ren-Ken Sun | Ph.D. Student
Mechanics Behind the Muscle Development
My bachelor's degree is in Biological Sciences from National Sun Yat-sen University. After graduation, I work in Dr.Khalturin's lab as a research assistant, helping both administration and doing my own research. Now I'm trying to discover the mechanics behind the muscle development of Aurelia Aurita, and continue this research in my upcoming PhD program.
ken870513@gate.sinica.edu.tw
Jia-Wei Huang | Research Assistant
Jia-Wei received his bachelor's degree in aquatic biosciences from National Chiayi University. After serving five years in the military and retiring with the rank of First Lieutenant, he decided to join the Lab in 2025 with a research interest in Cnidaria.