Dr. Laura Fuchs

My research focuses on animal physiology, with a particular interest in marine ecology and gastropod biology. I'm fascinated by how organisms adapt to changing environments, and my work explores the physiological and genetic mechanisms underlying these adaptations.

During my PhD I was part of the Research Training Group 2010 (RESPONSE) at the University Greifswald, where I investigated Theodoxus fluviatilis, a neritid snail that thrives in both freshwater and brackish habitats. By analysing its genome and gene expression patterns, I aimed to understand how it copes with fluctuating salinity levels, since phenotypic plasticity couldn’t explain the physiological differences between the brackish water and freshwater ecotypes.

Beyond my research, I’m passionate about bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, and marine ecosystems. I enjoy collaborating with fellow scientists and exploring new ways to apply genomics and physiology to ecological questions.

If you’d like to discuss my research or collaborate, feel free to reach out!

Short CV

Since 2025 Postdoctoral fellow

2021-2024 PhD, University of Greifswald

2020 ArcGIS Qualification

2018-2020 Technical Assistant / Laboratory head, University Rostock

2015-2017 Master of Marine Biology, University Rostock

2015-2017 Bachelor of Biology, Philipps University Marburg 

 

 

Publications

Fuchs, L.I.R.; Knobloch, J.; Wiesenthal, A.A.; Fuss, J.; Franzenburg, S.; Torres Oliva, M.; Müller, C.; Wheat, C.W.; Hildebrandt, J.P. (2024) A draft genome of the neritid snail Theodoxus fluviatilis. G3 (Bethesda). DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad282 

Romero-Mujalli, D.; Fuchs, L.I.R.; Haase, M.; Hildebrandt, J.-P.; Weissing, F. J.; Revilla, T. A. Emergence of phenotypic plasticity through epigenetic mechanisms. (2024) Evolution Letters. DOI: 10.1093/evlett/qrae012  

Knobloch, J.; Gößeler, S.; Fuchs, L.I.R.; Fuß, J.; Torres-Oliva, M.; Müller, C.; Hildebrandt, J.-P. (2023) The Ins and Outs of Urea: Identification of Putative DUR3-like Urea Transporters in the Oligohaline Nerite Snail Theodoxus fluviatilis and Their Expression under Changing Salinities. Physiologia. DOI: 10.3390/ physiologia3020020  

Albrecht, M.; Khanipour Roshan, S.; Fuchs, L.I.R.; Karsten, U.; Schumann, R. (2022) Applicability and limitations of high-throughput algal growth rate measurements using in vivo fluorescence in microtiter plates. J Appl Phycol. DOI: 10.1007/s10811-022-02778-z