ingle-celled organisms dominate the planet in terms of pure abundance and species diversity, yet most lack even a scientific name, and those with names were poorly described over a century ago before the technical revolutions brought on by electron microscopy and molecular biology. Recent advances in our understanding of cellular diversity are beginning to overturn traditional taxonomic paradigms and have dramatically altered long-held views on the evolution of eukaryotic cells and their organelles.
Our research program currently focuses considerable attention on comparative studies of ultrastructural systems in three diverse and ecologically important groups of eukaryotic single-celled predators, namely euglenids, dinoflagellates and cercozoan flagellates. The first two groups have independently acquired sophisticated feeding apparatuses, complex photoreception apparatuses and photosynthetic organelles. The independent but corresponding patterns of morphological change in these groups represent an ideal comparative system for investigating the constraints and reoccurring innovations in cell evolution.