Research

Who we are and what we do

We are an international group of evolutionary biologists. Together, we investigate how populations evolve and adapt, with a specific focus on temperature. Our overarching goal is develop yeast into a model system for climate change research. The two main themes in the lab are currently 1) the genetic and phenotypic responses of populations to life in stressful or complex environments, and 2) the role of hybridization in evolution.

Our main model system is the microbe yeast (aka budding yeast – Saccharomyces). We use a combination of experimental evolution, genome sequencing, and transcriptomics to understand what drives and constrains adaptation. We work with populations that range in genetic variation from clonal (i.e. genetically identical) to extremely diverse (e.g. hybrid swarms made from crossing different species). We also collect yeast directly from the wild, often from the bark of ancient oak trees, to understand their ecology better. Thanks to the power developed for yeast genetics, and the fact that it reproduces quickly (asexually and sexually), yeast is a great system to pin down the contributions of important population genetic processes (mutation, recombination, gene flow, genetic drift, and selection).

Some questions we are currently working on:

• How do populations adapt to environmental change, including global warming?
• How do thermal performance curves (TPCs) evolve?
• What is the genetic architecture of adaptive traits?
• How likely is parallel evolution in increasingly divergent populations/species?
• How do structural genomic variants (e.g. extra chromosomes) affect fitness?

Popular Science and Outreach

About our work using yeast as a model for climate research

About our collaboration with the beer industry

 The Economist: New yeast strains can produce untapped flavours of lager

The Washington Post: Tired of that old beer taste?

MSc thesis projects

We are always looking for interested Master’s students, who want to join the lab. You would be developing a research project using yeast and investigate the phenotypic and genetic basis of temperature adaptation. We are also happy to help you develop your own interesting project ideas.

Just looking for fun on this page? Check out this awesome yeast rap by Loke von Schmalensee! Sound on!

Illustration by Susanne Landis: www.scienstration.com
Lovely yeasty doodle by Javier Pinto