Evolutionary Genomics Program
Research in this program develops computational and experimental approaches to the study of Evolutionary Genomics. Computationally, the group addresses molecular evolution subjects at different scales, ranging from the impact of mutational biases during DNA sequence evolution to the evolution of new genes and their regulatory regions, to the coevolution of different genomic traits. Experimentally, program members investigate the metagenomics of a complex bacterial niche, the human gastrointestinal tract, to understand the development, population genetics, and coding capabilities of the bacterial community in this environment. Their newest endeavor aims at establishing an experimental system of bacterial cultures continuously selected for increased efficiency in biofuel production, whose analysis will provide detailed records of actual pathways of short-term genomic adaptation. In this experimental research, members are collaborating with the Genomic Technologies program to develop and apply new approaches that exploit the recent surge of new high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Program Head: Pilar Francino
