WELCOME TO THE KLIMOVICH LAB
Evolutionary Developmental and Neurobiology
The Klimovich Lab investigates how cell type diversity and nervous systems emerged and evolved in animal lineages. Our Research is rooted in evolutionary developmental biology and integrates comparative approaches with modern functional and genomic Tools to uncover fundamental principles of cell type diversification, nervous system organization, and host–microbiome interactions. Using the basal metazoan Hydra as our primary experimental system, we reconstruct the evolutionary origins and trajectories of diverse cell types, particularly the neurons, and place these findings into a broader comparative framework across animal phyla (see Publications).
A current focus of the lab is to understand how lineage-restricted genes contribute to the generation and diversification of neuronal cell types, linking evolutionary innovation to developmental mechanisms.
Beyond research, we are committed to training students, mentoring junior researchers, and communicating scientific discoveries to a broader audience. We offer a broad spectrum of courses on evolutionary and experimental developmental biology as well as cell biology (see Teaching). A particular highlight is our field course Developmental Biology of Marine Invertebrates. We believe, hands-on work in natural environment (Fieldwork) fosters the students' curiosity, enthusiasm (Endorsements) and passion to pursue fundamental research questions.
NEWS
March 11, 2026 - New Paper
Today, our paper was published in Communications Biology. This has been a truly collaborative effort, bringing together expertise across diverse fields. We explored how cilia on the surface of diverse cnidarians shape the near-surface flows. We describe a fascinating diversity of flow patterns across phylogenetic groups and life stages. This paper shows how combining modern approaches, such as particle velocimetry, can reveal striking patterns in these delicate animals. A big thank you to all co-authors and collaborators!
Koch, T., Araslanova, K., Bouderlique, T. et al. Cilia-driven surface currents characterize specific cnidarian groups and lifecycle stages. Communications Biology (2026). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-09827-0
ALEXANDER KLIMOVICH
PD Dr. habil.
Zoological Institute
Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel
Kiel, Germany
MEET THE PI AND THE TEAM
Alexander Klimovich is Deputy Professor (W3) of Zoology at Kiel University, where he leads the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. He is a developmental biologist and zoologist with a research focus on evolutionary and developmental processes in early-diverging animals.
He earned his PhD in Immunology from St.-Petersburg State University in 2011 and subsequently joined the lab of Prof. Thomas Bosch at Kiel University, where he expanded his research toward evolutionary developmental biology and host–microbiome interactions. With more than 15 years of research and teaching experience, he has established an internationally recognized research profile supported by competitive Funding from major agencies.
The Klimovich Lab is a collaborative and international team. Meet all members on the Team page and consider joining us!
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Articles and Preprints
NEURONAL CIRCUITS
OF HYDRA FEEDING BEHAVIOR DECIPHERED
November 22, 2023
Multiple neuronal populations control the eating behavior in Hydra and are responsive to microbial signals
Giez et al.
Current Biology
Using the most state-of-the-art tools (e.g., cell ablation, Ca-imaging, and high-resolution microscopy), we uncover a remarkably complex interplay between several neuronal types that form a circuit controlling the reading behavior of Hydra. Intriguingly, these neurons' activity is modulated by metabolites emanating from the symbiotic microbes.
November 16, 2023
THE REPERTOIRE OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES IN HYDRA IS REMARKABLY COMPLEX
Novel technologies uncover novel "anti"-microbial peptides in Hydra shaping the species-specific microbiome
Klimovich and Bosch
Philos Transact B
We leverage the available genomic and transcriptomic data for Hydra to distil the core principles of AMP genes' genomic architecture, expression and evolution. We demonstrate how complex spatially restricted cocktails of Hydra-specific AMPs may shape the composition and spatial structure of the Hydra microbiome.
THE ROLE OF SPONTANEOUS CONTRACTIONS: INSIGHTS FROM FLUID DYNAMICS
July 03, 2023
Spontaneous body wall contractions stabilize the fluid microenvironment that shapes host-microbe associations
Nawroth, Giez et al.
eLife
Combining experiments on Hydra with mathematical modelling, we provide insights into the functional implications of spontaneous body contractions. We provide evidence that, through mixing effects, they shape the polyp's fluid environment and contribute to nutrient and waste product exchange.
March 19, 2020
CAUSATIVE ROLE OF THE MICROBIOME IN TUMOR DEVELOPMENT
Dynamic interactions within the host-associated microbiota cause tumor formation in the basal metazoan Hydra
Rathje et al.
PLOS Pathogens
We demonstrate that tumor development in the basal metazoan Hydra is caused by a dynamic interplay between an environmental spirochete, the host-associated resident microbiota. Our study uncovers an evolutionary conserved role of the resident microbiome in guarding host’s tissue homeostasis.
TRANSGENESIS IN HYDRA:
DETAILED PROTOCOL
June 03, 2019
Transgenesis in Hydra to characterize gene function and
visualize cell behavior
Klimovich et al.
Nature Protocols
We describe a procedure for establishment
of stable transgenic Hydra lines by embryo microinjection. The method allows method allows constitutive or inducible gain- and loss-of-function approaches, as well as in vivo tracing of individual cells and thereby dissecting the ancestral circuitry controlling animal development.
PROTOTYPICAL PACEMAKER NEURONS INTERACT WITH MICROBIOTA
July 09, 2020
Prototypical pacemaker neurons interact with the resident microbiota
Klimovich et al.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
Using a combination of single-cell transcriptomics, immunochemistry, and functional experiments, we
identified and functionally characterized pacemaker cells in the basal metazoan Hydra. We conclude that prototypical pacemaker neurons are immunocompetent cells
capable of interacting with the microbiome.
ROLE OF THE LAMIN PROTEIN
IN NON-SENESCENCE
OF HYDRA
May 10, 2018
Non-senescent Hydra tolerates
severe disturbances
in the nuclear lamina
Klimovich et al.
Aging (Albany NY)
We demonstrate that proliferation of stem cells in Hydra is robust against the disturbance of Lamin expression and nuclear envelope structure. This extraordinary robustness may underlie the indefinite self-renewal capacity of stem cells and the non-senescence of Hydra.
NOVEL INSIGHTS INTO THE ANCESTRAL ROLE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
July 10, 2018
Rethinking the role
of the nervous system: Lessons from the Hydra holobiont
Klimovich and Bosch
BioEssays
We present accumulating evidence for the interaction of the nervous system with the symbiotic microbes. Our findings provide
novel insights into the original role of the nervous system, and suggest that it
emerged to orchestrate multiple functions including host‐microbiome interactions.
THE MICROBIOME MODULATES BEHAVIOUR OF HYDRA
November 21, 2017
Spontaneous body contractions are modulated by the microbiome
of Hydra
Murillo-Rincon et al.
Scientific Reports
We show that spontaneous body contractions in Hydra are modulated by symbiotic bacteria. Germ-free animals display strongly reduced and less regular contraction frequencies. Our findings point to an evolutionary ancient origin of interactions between the microbiome and the
nerve system in Metazoa.
CNIDARIANS ARE STRATEGIC EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEMS FOR NEUROSCIENCE
December 30, 2016
Back to the basics:
Cnidarians start to fire
Bosch et al.
Trends Neuroscience
The nervous systems of cnidarians have great potential to reveal fundamental principles of neural circuits. Here, we review current knowledge on the nervous systems of cnidarian species and propose that researchers should study members of this phylum as strategic experimental systems with great basic and translational relevance for neuroscience.
FIRST EVIDENCE FOR
TUMORS IN
PRE-BILATERIAN ANIMALS
June 24, 2014
Naturally occurring tumours in
the basal metazoan Hydra
Domazet-Lošo, Klimovich et al.
Nature Communications
Here we provide the first evidence
for naturally occurring tumours in
two species of Hydra. Our study shows that spontaneous tumours have deep evolutionary roots and that early branching animals
may be informative in revealing
the fundamental mechanisms
of tumorigenesis.
IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENT ON DEVELOPMENT: INSIGHTS FROM BASAL METAZOANS
September 10, 2014
How do environmental factors influence life cycles and development? An experimental framework for early‐diverging metazoans
Bosch et al.
BioEssays
Here, we identify major questions at the interface between animal evolution and development and outline a road map for research aimed at identifying the mechanisms that link environmental factors to developmental mechanisms in early diverging metazoans.
JOIN US
We are always seeking for talented motivated students, doctoral researchers, and postdocs.
If you are willing to join us, send your CV and a short motivation letter
to Alexander Klimovich (e-mail).
Job vacancies for specific projects will appear in the section Opportunities
