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Genetics of Phenotypic Evolution
A tremendous amount of biological diversity exists in nature, from differences between individuals, to populations, to species. This research area is focused on understanding the genetic basis for such phenotypic diversity. Faculty research includes the genetics of disease susceptibility, pathogen virulence, toxin resistance, and reproductive isolation. We use quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to identify genomic regions important for phenotypic variation in the trait of interest, and then association mapping and other techniques for cloning the individual genes and mutations responsible. Once a gene has been identified, its molecular evolutionary history is reconstructed using population genetics and phylogenetics.
- Michael Epstein
- Nicole Gerardo
- Todd Schlenke
- Stephanie Sherman
- Yun Tao
- James W. Thomas
- Irwin D. Waldman
- Michael E. Zwick
Experimental Evolution
Evolution is not only a process that unfolds over thousands of years, but actively proceeds on a time scale of weeks if not days. Evolutionary biologists have exploited the rapid generation times of several different model species to explore fundamental genetic processes involved in adaptive change. PBEE researchers in this area of research have focused on using insects, bacteria, and viruses within controlled laboratory conditions to examine diverse questions ranging from the evolution of reproductive isolation and speciation, to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and viral pathogensis. In its simplest form, several PBEE investigators have focused on the evolution of macromolecules themselves using artificially constructed biopolymers to address issues as fundamental as the origin of life.
Population and Comparative Genomics
Characterizing the patterns of genomic variation within and between species is a major goal of this research area. We explore how these data can be used to test evolutionary hypotheses and identify genomic regions with unusual or novel functions. Faculty performing research in this area work in a variety of model (i.e. human, Drosophila) and natural systems, develop and apply rapid genomic variation detection or resequencing technologies, and analyze data using bioinformatic and computational biology tools.