Genomic basis of phenotypes with translational potential

Comparative genomics can yield novel insights into species’ biology and the genomic underpinnings of interesting traits. In this project, we study the genomic basis of traits that have translational potential. For example, bats live longer than most other mammals after correcting for body size, but they rarely get cancer and show few signs of senescence. Infections with viruses that are deadly for humans is often asymptomatic in bats. Thus, bats are important models for healthy aging, enhanced resistance to tumorigenesis and infectious diseases. Furthermore, we are interested in traits such as adaptations to sugar- or protein-rich diets that evolved in different groups of bats and birds, and dormancy phenotypes which are present in numerous independent mammalian and bird lineages. Following Max Planck’s famous statement “insight must precede application”, a better understanding of the genomic changes that are relevant for such traits is a first step to apply new knowledge in biomedicine and other areas. 

To study these traits, we are generating and analyzing high-quality genome assemblies of strategically-selected species in collaboration with the TBG lab center, annotate genes by combining homology-based methods with newly generated transcriptomics data, build multiple genome alignments and conduct systematic screens for evolutionary changes in genes and regulatory elements.