Gene Regulation and Evolution
What makes each species unique isn’t just its genes, but how they’re regulated. While only 2% of the genome codes for proteins, the remaining 98% shapes when, where, and how genes are expressed, driving the evolution of specialized traits. In our lab, we use the mole as a model to uncover how gene regulation sculpts adaptation, giving us a unique perspective on evolution—through the eyes of a mole.
Highlights
Our Research
We use genomics and omics approaches to explore classic EvoDevo questions, combining them with synthetic biology to validate our findings in in vivo models.
Our Projects
Moles have evolved a unique set of traits to survive in the harsh underground environment, including intersexual females, hypoxia resistance, and specialized limbs adapted for ‘swimming’ through soil. We investigate how these traits are encoded in their genome.
Our Team
Our lab brings together a dynamic team of both experimental and computational members. This hybrid approach encourages teamwork, combining different perspectives to decode the complexities of mole evolutionary traits.
Funding
Acknowledgment
We would like to sincerely thank the Greene Lab for creating the Lab Website Template used to do this website.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), their facilities (which include the animal house, bioinformatics service, cytometry, cell culture, functional genomics, proteomics, microscopy and imaging as well as material and media preparation (kitchen)), the administrative and maintenance staff.
Finally we are grateful to our collaborators, the members of the Lupiañez Lab Dr. Dario Lupiañez, Lewin Lab Prof. Gary Lewin, Boeke Lab Prof. Jef Boeke, Marti-Renom Lab Prof. Marc Marti-Renom, Hiller Lab Prof. Michael Hiller and Reznick Lab Dr. Jane Reznick.