Evolutionary biology of chemically defended animals
An important goal in biology is to link genotype with phenotype for traits that affect fitness. Animals that sequester neurotoxins are a useful model for understanding the genetic underpinnings of simple and complex traits. Further, toxic defenses are common, and resistance and sequestration have evolved repeatedly, providing opportunities to reveal genetic mechanisms underlying convergent traits in diverse organisms.
Our lab leverages complementary approaches in model and non-model systems to understand the molecular mechanisms that animals use to resist and sequester neurotoxins. We aim to understand what the causes and consequences are of acquired chemical defenses from DNA- to ecosystem-level changes. In this way, we study the phenomenon of chemical defenses as a window into adaptation and the evolution of novel traits.
Given that neurotoxins target critical nervous system proteins and interact with several biological pathways targeted by human medicine, our research has translational implications for pharmacology and biology of disease. Further, we work with charismatic animals such as poison frogs, Pacific newts, and Harlequin frogs that can be powerful advocates for promoting conservation and efforts towards understanding the impact of global change.
Click on the links to the right to see more information and videos about our research.
