Research
- Drosophila melanogaster
The Department of Genetics has an international reputation for research excellence in a broad range of topics.
Stimulated by Alec Jeffreys’ research into fundamental mechanisms of genetic variation, mutation and evolution within genomes and populations, the Department has continued to expand its research activity in these exciting areas. Research into genome dynamics in the germ-line and in normal somatic and cancer cells is complemented by an increasing interest in and application to medical genetics.
Similar excellence is found in behavioural genetics with several groups studying the molecular basis of the circadian clock and the underlying evolution and neurogenetics of this and other complex behaviours.
The Department also has a longstanding reputation for expertise in microbial genetics and pathogenicity, with a current emphasis on research to understand and exploit the molecular interactions between pathogen and host. The availability of whole genome sequences from many different prokaryotic and eukaryotic species is opening new opportunities to understand the relationship between DNA sequence variation and genome dynamics.
Thus, the Department has a growing interest and expertise in bioinformatics and genomic research. We have always been committed to disseminating our research and its implications as widely as possible, and this is reflected in the development of a Genetics education programme that aims to improve teaching and learning in Genetics across society.
For a list of staff that contribute to these research areas along with links to their People pages, please go to:
Research Groups
