Innovations of the Human Genome

I am a senior lecturer at the University of Bath working in functional genomics research. My main research interest is to establish how genes underlie complex traits. During my talk I will explain how comparing genomes from pandas dolphins and dogs are allowing us to uncover how our constantly evolving genomes underlie major innovations such as our big brains, our long lifespans, our social behaviour. This type of research is a powerful tool in increasing our understanding how our own genome works and identify genes which could play an important role in disease.

I studied Biochemistry, Genetics and Biology. Now, I work in the Milner Centre for Evolution, studying how disease constrains the evolutionary process. The talk will focus on non-immunological defence. These behavioural and feeding responses of the body to infection are poorly understood and are not considered part of our immune system, but, nevertheless, may be the primary way we fight infection. We will talk about evidence for these responses in humans and discuss progress my lab has made at cracking it in everyone's favourite alcohol-loving fruit flies. ​