Bioinformatics & Population Genetics

Our research focuses on how copy number variation in multi-copy gene families contributes to local adaptation. To this end, we analyze both newly generated and publicly available sequencing data using bioinformatic approaches, and we complement these analyses with mathematical models of duplication and coalescence to simulate gene-family evolution.

We also explore the use of large language models trained on nucleotide sequences to assess the adaptive potential of genetic variants.

Our current study systems include olfactory receptor genes in beetles and mice, as well as heavy metal transporter genes and immune-related genes in Brassicaceae plants.

Ultimately, we aim to uncover the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms driving the emergence and diversification of multi-copy gene families.

Preprints:

Interlocus gene conversion causes mosaic divergence in tandem paralogues – modeling HMA4 evolution in Arabidopsis halleri

Copy Number Variation: A Substrate for Plant Adaptation and Stress Response in Arabidopsis

Inferring the history of gene copy number evolution

Decay of the CTCF paralog BORIS in neognathous birds

Recently published:

Muller’s ratchet and gene duplication

Copy number variation and population-specific immune genes in the model vertebrate zebrafish

Detecting adaptive changes in gene copy number distribution accompanying the human out-of-Africa expansion

The structured coalescent in the context of gene copy number variation