Research Group Overview

Phylogenomics involves the study of evolutionary relatedness among various groups of organisms. The idea that a common ancestry links all living organisms has been an integral part of biological research long before it became possible to compare sequence information. Full gene sequences of many organisms have now been completed, providing researchers with opportunities to identify more specific ancestral connections using genes, chromosomes and whole genome sequences. Phylogenomics is thus enabling the analysis of the similarities and differences of many species in an evolutionary context. By using phylogenetic models, researchers can identify patterns of diversification in gene sequences that relate to changes in function.

A major focus of Dr. Allan Dickerman's Research Group is the creation of analysis tools needed to construct the history of common ancestry for all of the components of genomes within a particular area of interest. For this purpose, the GeneTrees database focuses on the alignment of protein sequences in an effort to obtain evolutionary histories. This project has created external collaborations with scientists interested in a wide range of organisms and their classification. In addition, the group's SeedGenes project is near completion. This project focuses on the bioinformatic and functional analysis of genes active in the early development of plant seeds. More specifically, SeedGenes was developed to examine essential gene functions of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana and includes a web interface that offers information on all the proven early developmental lethal mutations in Arabidopsis. This coordinated effort has resulted in the collection and analysis of information related to the function of A. thaliana's genes and the results have been synthesized for efficient use by the scientific community.

Leader: Allan Dickerman