Polyploid Genome Evolution
Our lab seeks to understand how allopolyploid genomes respond to whole genome duplication. Allopolyploids are unique natural experiments in evolution, bringing two similarly, but genetically distinct, genomes together in the same nucleus, forming a novel species. Allopolyploidy events are associated with the large amount of diversity we see in a number of eukaryotic lineages, such as vertebrates, plants, and yeast. Understanding exactly how these genomes are regulated in response to doubling will not only advance our knowledge of these lineages, but also help advance our understanding of genome regulation and speciation.
Specifically, we use genomics to identify unique signals of evolution between the subgenomes of polyploids. This involves studying gene expression, epigenetics, transposons, as well as chromosome substructures. Our computational work spans many different species, but our main model systems are Xenopus frogs and Arabidopsis plants.
Contact us if you’d like to study polyploids! We are especially dedicated to promoting equity of historically excluded minoritized groups in science and academia.
Session Lab @ Binghamton University 