Göttinger Graduiertenzentrum für Neurowissenschaften, Biophysik und Molekulare Biowissenschaften

Bucher, Gregor, Prof. Dr.

Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics


  • Since 2017: Head of Department Evolutionary Developmental Genetics
    GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
  • 2013 - 2017: DFG Heisenberg Professor Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
  • 2006 - 2013: Junior Professor of Developmental Genetics in the Department of Developmental Biology, GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany (2002)
  • 2006-2013: Junior Group Leader of the Göttingen Center for Molecular Biology (GZMB)
  • 2004 - 2006: Postdoc Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany



Major Research Interests



Head Development and Evolution

We seek to understand the formation of the insect head from pattern formation to morphogenesis. These data provide insights into some long standing zoological question concerning the arthropod head and its evolution.

Brain Development and Evolution

We want to identify the cellular and genetic mechanisms that underly the evolution of the astonishing diversity of insect brains. Further, we identify the genetic signals specifying neural stem cells of the brain. We focus on the central complex as model.

Insect Functional Genomics

We expand the power of our model system by developing novel tools. Transgenic tools and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing allow a deeper analysis of gene function. The genome wide iBeetle RNAi screen reveals novel gene functions.




Homepage Department/Research Group

bucher.tribolium.net



Selected Recent Publications



  • Farnworth, MS, Eckermann, KN, Bucher, G, 2020. Sequence heterochrony led to a gain of functionality in an immature stage of the central complex: A fly–beetle insight. PLOS Biol. 18, e3000881.

  • He, B, Buescher, M, Farnworth, MS, Strobl, F, Stelzer, EH, Koniszewski, ND, Muehlen, D, Bucher, G, 2019. An ancestral apical brain region contributes to the central complex under the control of foxQ2 in the beetle Tribolium. eLife 8.

  • Ansari, S, Troelenberg, N, Dao, VA, Richter, T, Bucher, G, Klingler, M, 2018. Double abdomen in a short-germ insect: Zygotic control of axis formation revealed in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 201716512.

  • Schmitt-Engel, C, Schultheis, D, Schwirz, J, Ströhlein, N, Troelenberg, N, …, Schoppmeier, M, Klingler, M, Bucher, G, 2015. The iBeetle large-scale RNAi screen reveals gene functions for insect development and physiology. Nat. Commun. 6, 7822.

  • Fu, J, Posnien, N, Bolognesi, R, Fischer, TD, Rayl, P, Oberhofer, G, Kitzmann, P, Brown, SJ, Bucher, G, 2012. Asymmetrically expressed axin required for anterior development in Tribolium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 109, 7782–7786.

  • Posnien, N, Koniszewski, NDB, Hein, HJ, Bucher, G, 2011. Candidate Gene Screen in the Red Flour Beetle Tribolium Reveals Six3 as Ancient Regulator of Anterior Median Head and Central Complex Development. PLoS Genet. 7, e1002418.