Secrets of Life: Exploring Genes, Evolution and Biodiversity

Microbiome Science - Phytoremediation - Multiomics - Space Life Sciences - Health

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Brereton, and the (opens in a new window)Lab webpage

We explore the evolution and functional roles of non-coding genomic 'dark matter', the vast portion of the genome that does not code for proteins, to understand how these elements contribute to the diversity and complexity of life.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Zixia Huang

Fish Genomics, Morphological Evolution, Adaptation Evo-devo, Aquaculture, Systematics

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Hulsey and the (opens in a new window)Lab webpage

My research group, the Microbial Interactions Lab (MInt Lab), is focused on unraveling the molecular biology, ecology and evolution of symbiotic relationships, specifically focusing on fungi and their bacterial endosymbionts. We study the relationships between early diverging fungi such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria that live inside their hyphae and spores. Our research approach attempts to understand these interactions at the molecular level as well as the scale of ecology. 

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Olga Lastovetsky

I explore the hidden diversity of microbial life by integrating genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics to investigate uncultured and poorly understood microorganisms across environments. My work focuses on microbial dark matter, evolutionary dynamics, and the development of taxonomy-free approaches to characterise microbial communities beyond known species.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Guerrino Macori and (opens in a new window)his page

Keywords: Microbial Dark Matter, Metagenomics, Evolutionary Genomics, Microbial Biodiversity, Taxonomy-Free Classification

Specialist in translational oncology and Co-Lead of the UCD Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Lab, investigates how genetic regulation, inflammation, and metabolic shifts contribute to the evolution of cancer, with a focus on Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Gene regulation, tumour evolution, molecular oncology, systems biology

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Simone Marcone and the (opens in a new window)lab webpage

I am a bioinformatician specializing in human genomics, genome annotation, rare diseases, and precision medicine. My research focuses on developing advanced computational tools and methods that deliver real-world impact, including improving diagnostic accuracy, enabling precision therapies, and supporting sustainable agriculture by mitigating the effects of climate change.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Daniel Murphy

I'm an invertebrate biologist and community ecologist principally interested in how environmental contexts and human pressures shape populations, communities and ecosystem functioning, particularly in aquatic ecosystems and the aquatic-terrestrial ecotones. My approach is primarily empirical, combining experiments with field surveys to test and develop theories and address environmental problems.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Marcin Penk

Keywords: Aquatic Ecosystems, Community Ecology, Environmental Change

I am interested in the use of population genetic, transcriptomic and comparative genome techniques to study the evolution and maintenance of reproductive isolation between incipient or hybridising species. My current study systems are the beadlet anemone Actinia equina and the large house spider complex (Eratigena) but have previously worked on the intertidal snail genus Littorina and mosquitoes in the Anopheles gambiae complex. I am also interested in the genetics/genomics of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Craig Wilding

My research explores how organisms respond at the molecular level to environmental change, spanning multiple levels of biological organization and time scales. Using functional and comparative genomics, we investigate both shared and lineage-specific molecular responses across diverse taxa, with a particular focus on ectothermic ("cold-blooded") species such as reptiles, amphibians, fish, and marine invertebrates.

We are especially interested in the capacity of animals to adapt to rapid environmental stressors including heatwaves, drought, and ocean acidification. To complement our empirical work, we also develop novel theoretical frameworks that examine the three-dimensional structure of genomic networks, with the aim of understanding how genome architecture influences, and is influenced by, environmental change.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Katarina Wollenberg-Valero

Ecological modelling, with a focus on models of invasive species dispersal and population dynamics and ecosystem resilience. Applications in aphid control in agricultural systems and invasive insect pests in forests.

For more information see (opens in a new window)Dr Jonathan Yearsley