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
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Spatial and temporal characteristics of laboratory-induced Anopheles coluzzii swarms : Shape, structure, and flight kinematics
iScience (2024), Volume: 27, Issue: 11 - ISSN 2589-0042 -
Flight activity and effort of breeding pied flycatchers in the wild, revealed with accelerometers and machine learning
Journal of Experimental Biology (2024), Volume: 227, Issue: 19 - ISSN 0022-0949 -
Enhanced flight performance and adaptive evolution of Mesozoic giant cicadas
Science Advances (2024), Volume: 10, Issue: 43 - ISSN 2375-2548 -
Migrating shorebird killed by raptor at 3000 m above ground as revealed by high-resolution tracking
Ecology (2024), Volume: 105, Issue: 11 - ISSN 0012-9658
Research
The Experimental Zoology Group studies how moving animals function in their complex natural environment.
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Biomechanics of moving animals
Animals have evolved amazing movement systems, ranging from the rapidly beating wings of flying flies and the flexible undulating body of swimming fish, to the precisely controlled cuttlefish arm for catching and manipulating prey. To unravel how natural movement systems function, we study the biomechanics and neuro-muscular control of moving animals.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
