Our Research
Our laboratory investigates one of the most fascinating aspects of molecular evolution - the emergence and integration of new genes. We focus on orphan genes, unique genetic elements that appear without clear evolutionary ancestry yet make up to 20% of all genomes across the tree of life. These genes represent nature's remarkable capacity for innovation, but their origins and functions remain largely mysterious.
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Our lab combines synthetic biology, evolutionary genomics, and molecular biology to understand how new genes are born and become functional. Using state-of-the-art experimental frameworks, we:
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Simulate gene birth in living cells, tracking how random sequences evolve into functional genes
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Study how cellular environments influence the evolutionary trajectories of new genes across diverse species
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Investigate the emergence of novel genes in the arms race between viruses and their bacterial hosts, revealing nature's strategies for molecular innovation
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Our multidisciplinary approach merges experimental and computational methods, from high-throughput genetics to advanced bioinformatics. By studying both synthetic and natural systems, we're uncovering fundamental principles of biological innovation. Our discoveries may open new possibilities in protein design, cellular engineering, and phage-based therapeutic development.
Watch a video about the work we do:
Our lab is a dynamic space where groundbreaking ideas take shape and where passionate minds come together to explore the origins of genes and their evolutionary pathways. We are driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep sense of curiosity about the fundamental processes that have shaped life as we know it.