Molecular Evolutionary Biology

Welcome!

In the research unit „Molecular Evolutionary Biology“, we investigate adaptation mechanisms to abiotic and biotic factors in arthropods with state-of-the-art molecular biological, biochemical, genetical and bioinformatical methods.

The focus of our research lies on:

·         Evolution of adaptation to toxic plant secondary compounds in phytophagous insects

·         Molecular basis of those adaptations and their functional characterization

·         Reconstruction of the evolution of adaptation via molecular phylogenies

·         Causes of shifted gender relations in flea beetles

·         Studies of gene expression and de novo transcriptome-assembly

We provide classes 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 about every interested students!