Research Interest Groups
Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
With faculty-driven interest, the GGA sponsors multiple university-wide Research Interest Groups (RIGs) that are designed to foster cross-cutting interdisciplinary research. RIGs meet regularly to share research interests and exchange ideas. Products from RIGs include mini-symposiums or workshops, new collaborations, and collaborative grant proposals. RIG events are open to faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students.
INTRINSyC (Initiative for Translational, Integrative and Synthetic) Plant Biology
The INitiative for TRanslational, INtegrative and SYnthetiC Plant Biology (INTRINSyC Plant Biology) program synergizes and builds on the current strengths of existing biology faculty in various traditionally isolated disciplines of Plant Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering.
Epistasis: From mechanism to evolution and application
Our ability to predict nearly any phenotype based on an organism’s genotype
depends crucially on the extent of epistasis. Widespread epistasis makes predicting phenotypes more difficult because phenotypes will increasingly depend on the exact configuration of specific alleles across many loci. Our research interest group brings together faculty, postdocs and students who study epistasis from different perspectives.
Evolutionary Genetics
Members of the Evolutionary Genetics RIG are interested in gene and genome evolution, comparative genomics, and modeling evolution.
Genetics and Genomics of Plant and Animal Breeding
Members of the Genetics and Genomics of Plant and Animal Breeding (PAB) RIG are interested in DNA marker discovery, genotyping technologies, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, and mapping genes for marker-aided selection in plant and animal breeding.
Genetic/Genome Engineering and Emerging Technologies
Members of the Genetic/Genome Engineering and Emerging Technologies (EET) RIG are interested in genome engineering, transgenics, biotechnology and synthetic biology.
Genetic Pest Management
Members of the Genetic Pest Management RIG focus on developing novel pest management approaches through genetic engineering of pest species to decrease their densities and/or decrease their ability to transmit pathogens.
Quantitative and Computational Developmental Biology
The Quantitative and Computational Developmental Biology (QCDB) group is dedicated to interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, genetics, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering, using model organisms that span the evolutionary tree of life.