Molecular Evolutionary Biology
Welcome!
In the research unit „Molecular Evolutionary Biology“, we investigate adaptation mechanisms to abiotic and biotic factors in arthropods using state-of-the-art molecular biological, biochemical, genetic and bioinformatic methods.
The focus of our research is on:
· Evolution of adaptations to toxic secondary plant compounds in phytophagous insects
· Molecular basis of these adaptations and their functional characterization
· Reconstruction of the evolution of adaptation using molecular phylogenies
· Causes of shifted sex ratios in flea beetles
· Studies of gene expression and de novo transcriptome assembly
We offer courses in the following degree programs: BSc Biology, BSc Molecular Life Sciences, MSc Biology and BSc/MSc Biology for teachers. We supervise bachelor and master theses in all mentioned degree programs (previous theses in our lab). We are happy to hear from interested students!