Bucher, Gregor, Prof. Dr.

Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics

Since 2025: Spokesperson of DFG Research Training Group 3074 "GönomiX: New genetic model systems: Cross-species comparison of the function of developmental genes and gene networks"
Since 2017: Head of Department Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
2013-2017: DFG Heisenberg Professor Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
2006-2013: Junior Professor of Developmental Genetics in the Department of Developmental Biology, GZMB, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany (2002)
2006-2013: Junior Group Leader of the Göttingen Center for Molecular Biology (GZMB)
2004-2006: Postdoc Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany

Major Research Interests
Head Development and Evolution
We seek to understand the formation of the insect head from pattern formation to morphogenesis. These data provide insights into some long standing zoological question concerning the arthropod head and its evolution.
Ansari* S, Troelenberg*, Dao, Richter, Gregor Bucher* and Martin Klingler* (2018) Double abdomen in a short-germ insect: Zygotic control of axis formation revealed in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. PNAS doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1716512115
Fu J, Posnien N, Bolognesi R, Fischer TD, Rayl P, Oberhofer G, Kitzmann P, Brown SJ, Bucher G. (2012) Asymmetrically expressed axin required for anterior development in Tribolium. PNAS 109(20):7782-6.
Brain Development and Evolution
We want to identify the cellular and genetic mechanisms that underly the evolution of the astonishing diversity of insect brains. Further, we identify the genetic signals specifying neural stem cells of the brain. We focus on the central complex as model.
Pang Y, Klußmann-Fricke B, Cedden D, Zhang J, Schinko JB, Averof M, Riemensperger T, Bucher G (2026) foxQ2 marks fast-acting brain interneurons including a subset of dopaminergic neurons innervating mushroom bodies and central complex in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. eLife https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.111703.1
Farnworth MS, Eckermann K, Bucher G (2020) Sequence heterochrony led to a gain of functionality in an immature stage of the central complex: a fly-beetle insight Plos Biology 2019.12.20.883900
Insect Functional Genomics
We expand the power of our model system by developing novel tools. Transgenic tools and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing allow a deeper analysis of gene function. The genome wide iBeetle RNAi screen reveals novel gene functions.
Cedden, Güney, Rostás, Bucher G (2025) Optimizing dsRNA sequences for RNAi in pest control and research with the dsRIP Web-Platform BMC Biology 2025;23:114. doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02219-6.
Kaufholz* F, Ulrich*, Hakeemi, Bucher G (2024) Temporal control of RNAi reveals both robust and labile feedback loops in the segmentation clock of the red flour beetle. PNAS 121 (25) e2318229121
Schmitt-Engel, C., Schultheis, D., Schwirz, J., …., Schoppmeier*, M., Klingler*, M., Bucher*, G., (2015). The iBeetle large-scale RNAi screen reveals gene functions for insect development and physiology. Nat. Commun. 6, 7822. doi:10.1038/ncomms8822 Highligthed in Science Editor´s choice

Homepage Department/Research Group
bucher.tribolium.net

ORCID: 0000-0002-4615-6401