Evolution, Population Genetics, and Genomics

Our research is focused on mechanisms of evolution at the gene, genomic, and phenotypic levels, with special attention being given to the roles of mutation, random genetic drift, and recombination. For these purposes, we are currently utilizing several model systems: the microcrustacean Daphnia, the nematode Caenorhabditis, the yeast Saccharomyces, the ciliate Paramecium, the green alga Chlamydomonas, and the plant Arabidopsis. In addition, comparative analyses of completely sequenced genomes are being performed to shed light on issues concerning the origins of genomic and gene-structural complexity. Most of our empirical work is integrated with the development and use of mathematical theory in an effort to develop a formal understanding of the constraints on the evolutionary process. Evolution is a population-level process, and the underlying philosophy of our research is that "nothing in evolution makes sense except in the light of population genetics."

For more information, visit Michael Lynch's research page or click on the links to the left.