Dr. Natascha Turetzek-Zhang

Research

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I am a molecular biologist working across disciplines, integrating evolutionary developmental biology (EvoDevo), ecophysiology, and comparative genomics. My research combines bioinformatics, functional genetics, and thermal response experiments in insects and spiders. Overall, I aim to uncover the genomic and genetic bases of phenotypic diversification and stress responses in arthropods.
Using comparative genomics and multi-omics approaches, I investigate gene family evolution, with a particular focus on gene duplication and regulation. I experimentally validate differences in gene expression and function during embryonic development using insect and spider model species. These experiments allow me to link genetic changes to modifications of developmental processes that underlie the diversification of highly adaptive arthropod traits, including body plans, appendages, and sensory organs.
In addition, my research examines how thermal stress generally affects development, physiology, behavior, and fitness of multiple arthropod model systems. These experiments are accompanied by the tissue specific transcriptomic analysis to the heat stress response. By comparing genes and behavior, species and life stages, I identify distinct thermal strategies and limits, as well as conserved genetic mechanisms that enable arthropods to cope with changing and harsh environments.

Projects:

Molecular mechanisms and phenotypic consequences of paralog divergence in insects and chelicerates (DFG Priority Programme SPP2349 GEvol)

Gene and genome duplication and phenotypic novelties – Insights from spiders and insects (DFG Priority Programme SPP2349 GEvol)

Heatwave effects on development, reproduction and gene expression
Collaboration with Cristina Tuni FIS2 (Fondo Italiano per la Scienza) and Sonja Grath

Developmental genetic basis of morphological evolution: the diversity of external arthropod sense organs. BioNa Award

Teaching

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Bachelor’s programme in biology
Evolutionary Ecology I (practical)
Organismic Biology (practical)
Experimental Desing (Seminar)
Developmental Biology (Berufsqualitfizierend)

Master’s programme: Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (EES) & Molecular Cellular Biology (MCB)
Mechanisms of animal development (Lecture)
Topics in evolutionary developmental biology (practical & seminar)
Research Internships
Individual Research Training I–III

Key publications

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Erdoğan, D. E., Karimifard, S., Khodadadi, M., Ling, L., Linke, L., Catalán, A., Doublet, V., Glaser‐Schmitt, A., Niehuis, O., Nowick, K., Soro, A., Turetzek, N., Feldmeyer, B., & Posnien, N. (2025). ATAC‐seq in Emerging Model Organisms: Challenges and Strategies. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.b.23305
Turetzek, N., Pechmann, M., Janssen, R., & Prpic, N.-M. (2024). Hox genes in spiders: Their significance for development and evolution. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 152–153, 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.014
Janeschik, M., Schacht, M. I., Platten, F., & Turetzek, N. (2022). It takes Two: Discovery of Spider Pax2 Duplicates Indicates Prominent Role in Chelicerate Central Nervous System, Eye, as Well as External Sense Organ Precursor Formation and Diversification After Neo- and Subfunctionalization. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 810077. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.810077
Angelakakis, A., Turetzek, N., & Tuni, C. (2022). Female mating rates and their fitness consequences in the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. Ecology and Evolution, 12(12), e9678. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9678
Turetzek, N., Pechmann, M., Schomburg, C., Schneider, J., & Prpic, N.-M. (2016). Neofunctionalization of a Duplicate dachshund Gene Underlies the Evolution of a Novel Leg Segment in Arachnids. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 33(1), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msv200