TOOLS: OUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
The advancement of our research relies on a combination of state-of-the-art technologies
and continuous methodological innovation.
We not only apply cutting-edge approaches but also develop new experimental and analytical tools.
We are committed to sharing our expertise and always open for collaborations, training students and interns.
SINGLE-CELL TRANSCRIPTOMICS
In collaboration with the group of Prof. Igor Adameyko in Vienna and partners at SciLifeLab in Stockholm, we pioneered single-cell transcriptomic profiling in Hydra (Klimovich et al., PNAS 2020). By integrating advanced sampling strategies, high-throughput sequencing, and custom analytical pipelines, we generated a comprehensive atlas of Hydra cell types and their dynamic states (He et al., bioRxiv 2025). These approaches form the foundation of our work on cell type evolution and diversification.
CALCIUM-IMAGING
With the support of a DFG grant and SFB1461, we established an advanced microscopy platform for in vivo recording of neuronal activity in Hydra with high spatial and temporal resolution. Combined with custom image analysis pipelines, this enables quantitative and system-level analysis of neural dynamics (Giez et al., Current Biology 2023).
CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY
High-resolution confocal microscopy is central to our research. It provides detailed insights into the architecture of the Hydra nervous system and allows us to resolve neuronal diversity, morphology, and connectivity patterns in with finest details.
TRANSGENESIS IN HYDRA
Functional and developmental studies in Hydra rely on precise genetic manipulation and in vivo cell tracing. We both implement and further develop transgenic tools to expand the experimental capabilities of this model system. Our contributions include the first inducible gene expression system in Hydra (Klimovich et al., Nature Protocols 2019), a collection of transgenic lines for calcium imaging of defined neuronal populations (Giez et al., 2023), and a versatile system for targeted cell ablation (Giez et al., Curr Biol 2023).
Together with Jörg Wittlieb, we operate the Transgenic Hydra Facility at Kiel University, providing the broader research community with access to transgenesis technologies.
COMPARATIVE GENOMICS
We have sequenced and annotated genomes of multiple Hydra species and strains, generating essential resources for evolutionary and functional analyses. These datasets are tightly integrated with our single-cell transcriptomic approaches and are key to identifying and characterizing lineage-restricted genes. These resources will become soon available for the community.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND COLLABORATIONS
Our work is supported by outstanding local infrastructure and collaborations. We are grateful to the Central Microscopy Facility at Kiel University, in particular Dr. Urška Repnik and Prof. Marc Bramkamp, for access to advanced imaging platforms. We also acknowledge the Competence Centre for Genomic Analysis (CCGA) in Kiel, especially Dr. Sören Franzenburg, Dr. Janina Fuss, and Dr. Montserrat Torres Oliva, for providing access to next-generation sequencing technologies.