Molecular Ecology, Evolution, and Phylogenomics

Our experts: Professor Nathan Lo and Professor Simon Ho

The MEEP Lab uses genetic and genomic data to answer questions in evolutionary biology. Our research interests include detecting the effects of natural selection, the neutral and nearly neutral theories of molecular evolution, and the evolutionary dynamics of genomes. We are also interested in statistical models of molecular evolution, applied at scales ranging from individual genes to entire genomes.

Our experts: Professor Nathan Lo and Professor Simon Ho

We have broad interests in molecular ecology, including biogeography, phylogeography, population genomics, and species delimitation. We are also interested in using genetic techniqiues to study biodiversity, through analysis of population genomic data and DNA barcodes from invertebrate fauna.

Our experts: Professor Nathan Lo and Professor Simon Ho

Our research often involves phylogenomics: the study of evolutionary relationships using genomic data. We work on phylogenetic methods, simulation studies, and phylogenomic analyses of evolutionary relationships of organisms throughout the Tree of Life. The MEEP Lab also has interests in integrative taxonomy and molecular systematics. Recent projects have included the phylogenetics of viruses, insects, marsupials, birds, and flowering plants.

Our experts: Professor Simon Ho

We are interested in all aspects of evolutionary rates and timescales, including both theory and practice. This work is based on the molecular clock, which describes the variation in evolutionary rates among species. Our recent projects have included estimation of the evolutionary timescales of birds, insects, and flowering plants. We also have particular interests in methods for estimating mutation rates from time-structured data sets.

Our experts: Professor Nathan Lo

We are interested in all aspects of termite biology, systematics, biogeography, and evolution. Our research in this area includes collecting samples in the field, morphological study, gene sequencing, genomics, phylogenetic analysis, species delimitation, taxonomy, and molecular systematics.

Our experts: Professor Nathan Lo

The MEEP Lab is interested in various aspects of symbiosis, including endosymbiosis and co-evolution. Our recent work has included genomic analyses of the endosymbionts of termites and cockroaches, the links between the evolutionary rates of symbionts and their hosts, and the impacts of genome erosion.