The Adaptive Evolution Lab

We have built a good understanding of how genes and genomes adapt over evolutionary times. However, how plants can carry a memory of previous climate exposure to the next generation remains an enigma. Given the pace at which plants will have to adapt to climate change, these transgenerational effects could be the key to successful short term adaptation.

The emergence of resistance to pesticide is evolution in action. Weed populations in Australia have been particularly good at emerging resistance to all the chemical they have been exposed to, providing a fascinating model for the study of evolution to a well-defined selective agent.

Restoration projects have been instrumental at mitigating the effect of human perturbation. However, the perfect restoration scheme is yet to be designed. In particular, we are interested in using genomics tools to make sure the restoration will be successful, retains a maximum of genetic diversity and is climate change-proof