Welcome

The Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics is headed by Prof. Daniel Croll. The major aim is to understand how pathogens evolve to cause disease. For this, we mainly focus on major crop pathogens and investigate mechanisms of rapid adaptation.

We are interested how host resistance mechanisms have been circumvented, pesticides become ineffective and how pathogens are able to cope with climate challenges. We take a broad view in our work and have strong interests in evolutionary processes at all levels from transposable elements to genomes and broad species comparisons. We also have a passion for projects related to conservation genomics. We combine computational work with empirical analyses from the field to the bench.

For more information about the lab’s research please head to www.pathogen-genomics.org.

 

Prof. Jason Grant leads research on the systematics, taxonomy and biogeography of plants.

Currently researched groups include the flowering plant families Gentianaceae (gentians; Macrocarpaea, Symbolanthus), Brassicaceae (Parrya), Bromeliaceae (Alcantarea, Vriesea, and Werauhia), Loganiaceae (Bonyunia), and the fern family Ophioglossaceae (Botrychium). Geographical regions where I largely conduct my research include the Andes in South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia), and Arctic and boreal regions of North America and Asia.

Neotropical studies – Evaluation of historical patterns of speciation of plants in montane South America. Speciation and biogeography are especially important for studying genetic variation by using model organisms to interpret patterns that can be used in the assessment of general biodiversity, and threats that may lead to recommendations for conservation.


Arctic studies – Evaluation of dispersals of plants from Asia to North America. The genus Parrya (Brassicaceae) is primarily distributed in the Himalaya and other mountainous regions of Asia. My studies concentrate on the American radiation. The fern genus Botrychium (Ophioglossaceae) is widely distributed in North America, but is especially speciose in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. In 2002 I described a new species from Alaska, Botrychium alaskense.

We are a diverse group of people with interests in evolutionary biology, botany, microbiology, bioinformatics and genomics. But we are also passionate about conservation and many other topics. To see what we are doing for fun, have a look at our blog.