Research Group

Plant Pathogen Evolution

Research Group Leader: Honour McCann
Our work is focused on understanding the origins of plant disease outbreaks, how pathogens adapt to novel hosts and coevolve with ancient ones.

Ciliate genomics and molecular biology

Research Group Leader: Estienne Swart
Ciliates are diverse and widespread microbial eukaryotes. We are investigating two of their distinctive peculiarities: the extensive, developmental transformation of their germline genomes into somatic genomes, and their evolution of multiple alternative genetic codes.

Max Planck Research Group on Mutualisms

Research Group Leader: Hassan Salem
Mutually beneficial species interactions can fuel adaptation and diversification. We explore how mutualisms are maintained, and the consequences of coevolution between a host and its symbiont.