Summer 2021. Chris, Justin, Stefan, Nick, Ana, Mia, Eva and Jordan

How do genomes evolve?
We are interested in understanding how selfish genetic elements drive the evolution of genomes, epigenetic systems and the machinery of inheritance.

Why do genomes vary in their structure?

How does the evolutionary arms race with selfish DNA influence genome evolution?

How do epigenetic mechanisms of RNA silencing evolve?

How does the genome respond to instability caused by selfish DNA?

How do mechanisms of meiosis evolve?

To answer these questions we use genomics, CRISPR, molecular evolution and population genetics.

If you are interested in working on these problems, please feel free to contact Justin: jblumens at ku.edu