Computational and Evolutionary Biology
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Rock ptarmigan in Svalbard (Jonathan Codd).
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A Phalaenopsis orchid flower. Orchid flowers are excellent examples of co-evolution between plants and pollinators.
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Phylogenetic tree inferred form 454 sequence data.
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Screenshot from Utopia Documents software.
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Visualisation of phylogenetic workflow usage.
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Yeast protein interaction network.
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An emerging compound leaf primordium of Schefflera actinophylla (Minsung Kim).
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Frog, Agalychnis moreletii, snapped on undergraduate field course to Belize (Richard Preziosi).
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HIV-host protein interaction network (Jonathan Dickerson). Coloured spheres and black diamonds correspond to human and HIV-1 proteins respectively, with grey lines corresponding to one or more unique HIV- to-human protein interactions.
Welcome to CEB's website.
We are a department-sized grouping of researchers in Life Sciences who use a wide range of techniques from computational to whole organism experimental approaches in our pursuit of understanding biological systems. A main theme of our research is the use of an evolutionary perspective to inform and predict the behaviour of biological systems. As such, the study of evolutionary signals and processes is central to our work. We also have extensive experience in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, which ranges from software and database development to the analysis of biological data sets.
Click ‘+ to expand’ below to find out more about the research themes underway in CEB and follow the links there to find out about PI research interests and projects. If you have any questions about the research we do, are interested in scientific collaborations or education/training opportunities in Manchester please contact us.
Molecular and Genome Evolution
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Organisms adapt to their environment by selecting for genomic traits within their population that offer a competitive advantage. In our grouping we study genomic evolution and its consequences at different levels of generality and over varying time-scales, often bringing together computational and experimental approaches. For example, in an inter-disciplinary project involving both CEB experimental and computational scientists, genetic hybrid strains of yeast can be used to study specificity of protein-protein interactions. Other specific research projects include: comparing genomes from divergent species to identify probable non-coding RNAs (see the miRBase database), development of new bioinformatics software (e.g., phylogenetic methods), the human impact on the evolution of agricultural crop species to understand the origins of agriculture, HIV-1 diversity and evolution, and large international genome projects, for example, the mouse and fruit fly.
Contact: Simon Whelan
PIs
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Teresa Attwood
- Bioinformatics: protein sequence/family analysis & integrating interactive content with static documents
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Douda Bensasson
- Comparative genomics: ecological and evolutionary genomics of yeast
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Casey Bergman
- Comparative genomics: genome structure, function, evolution and in silico biology
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Terry Brown
- Biomolecular archaeology: the use of DNA to study the human past
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Daniela Delneri
- Functional genomics: genome-wide approaches to study fitness and speciation in yeast
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Sam Griffiths-Jones
- Functional RNA biology: computational biology of non-protein-coding RNAs
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David Hoyle
- Quantative and systems biology: statistical genetics, modelling and bioinformatics
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Chris Knight
- Systems biology: connected molecular systems to biological phenotype
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Simon Lovell
- Structural biology: protein structure and function, protein-protein interactions and the evolution of systems
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David Robertson
- Computational biology: genome and functional evolution of biological systems and pathogen/host interactions
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John Sulston
- Genomics: science, ethics and innovation
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Cathy Walton
- Evolutionary biology: molecular population genetics of mosquitoes and biodiversity in Southeast Asia
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Simon Whelan
- Molecular phylogenetics: investigating the evolution of biological systems through phylogenetics and genomics
Affiliates
Comparative and Organismal Biology
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The underlying focus of this CEB research theme is understanding how structure and function relate through evolutionary processes. Our research interests cross over between field and laboratory based studies and are focused on understanding how organisms work and interact with their environment. Specific research projects underway include comparative physiology and biomechanics, functional morphoplogy, the use of computer simulations to understand the movements of both living and fossil animals such as dinosaurs, the evolutionary genetics of social interactions and complex traits and the interplay between evolution and development.
Contact: Jonathan Codd
PIs
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Matthew Cobb
- Evolutionary genetics: behaviour genetics, olfaction and chemical communication
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Jonathan Codd
- Integrative Zoology: functional constraints on breathing and locomotion in vertebrates
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Reinmar Hager
- Evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology
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Minsung Kim
- Developmental biology: evolution and genetic development of plant forms
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Chris Klingenberg
- Organismal biology: evolution of organismal form and its genetic and developmental basis
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Richard Preziosi
- Sustainability research: evolutionary, ecological and community genetics
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Daniel Rozen
- Evolutionary biology: laboratory evolution experiments to study the ecology and genetics of adaptation
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Bill Sellers
- Primatology: comparative anatomy, behaviour and biomechanics of primates
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Cathy Walton
- Evolutionary biology: molecular population genetics of mosquitoes and biodiversity in Southeast Asia
Affiliates
Environmental, Population and Sustainability Research
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This CEB research theme focuses on applied problems associated with environmental and human induced change. Finding the mechanisms by which these changes occur, and identifying methods of mitigating these effects, is an essential activity as we move into the 21st century. Areas of research in CEB include: urban biodiversity, heat island effects, in situ and ex situ conservation, emerging diseases, pollution ecology and links between societal development and environmental impact. We are also keenly interested in conservation research. For example, amphibian survival is threatened on a global scale and evolutionary genetics has an important role to play in amphibian conservation. Researchers in CEB are gathering information on the genetic diversity of frogs to identify areas with the richest and/or most unique biodiversity as conservation priorities and to identify species most at risk due to their low genetic diversity. For further details on sustainability research at The University of Manchester visit the Sustainable Consumption Institute.
Contact: Richard Preziosi
PIs
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Douda Bensasson
- Comparative genomics: ecological and evolutionary genomics of yeast
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Roland Ennos
- Biomechanics and structure: comparing and contrasting the mechanical adaptations of plants and animals
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Chris Knight
- Systems biology: connected molecular systems to biological phenotype
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Richard Preziosi
- Sustainability research: evolutionary, ecological and community genetics
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Cathy Walton
- Evolutionary biology: molecular population genetics of mosquitoes and biodiversity in Southeast Asia
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Keith White
- Ecology and adaptation: bioavailability and toxicity of trace metals in aquatic systems
Affiliates
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Giles Johnson
- Plant responses to environmental stress
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Catherine McCrohan
- Comparative neurophysiology and behaviour of invertebrates
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Jon Pittman
- Metal transport and homeostasis in plants
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Geoff Robson
- Fungal pathogens of man and the role of fungi in biodeterioration in the environment
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David Sigee
- Nutrient dynamics and pollution in the freshwater environment
PhD, Post-doc and Fellowships
We welcome applications for PhD and post-doctoral positions at any time. Advertised positions can be found on our PhD projects and the Faculty's Jobs page. We are also pleased to consider requests to host independent research fellowships (junior or senior), and we can offer advice and guidance in support of your application. Fellows routinely become permanent members of staff.
For enquiries, contact david.robertson@manchester.ac.uk or the principal investigator closest to your research area.