Jan Inge Øvrebø

O. dioica displays an unique system of cell cycle regulation that are poorly understood, because previous research on cell cycle have focussed on a single nuclei within its own cytoplasm, while in this model we can study cell cycle regulation of multiple nuclei, both meiotic and endocycling, sharing a common cytoplasm, as seen in the coenocyst. Cell cycle in O. dioica is also unique in its way of development because most cells switch from rapid mitotic division to endoreduplication around the event of tail shift. O. dioica is also an important organism when viewed at the light of evolution, because it is the closest evolutionary relative to the vertebrates, and is therefore an important model organism in the field biology. In addition to presenting a unique environment for cell cycle studies and its evolutionary importance, it has many other abilities that make it an excellent model organism. O. dioica is successfully maintained in culture and have a short life cycle of 6 days at 15°C (Bouquet, 2009), and is therefore an excellent model organism for developmental studies. It is also transparent which makes it easy to observe internal organs when used for in situ experiments. Another advantage of using O. dioica as a model organism is the fact that the genome of O. dioica has been fully sequenced, which makes genetic studies easier by far.