Our work aims at understanding molecular biological functions and their evolution. Biological functions are based on specific information, which is encoded in genes. The function of one gene often depends on others: our genome is a strongly correlated system shaped by interactions between genes. Molecular information processing takes place through a number of networks governing regulatory interactions between genes, interactions between proteins, and metabolic pathways in the cell. Hence, understanding biological function requires the study of gene interactions. To understand various aspects of this "many-particle" system, we are engaged in a broadly based research program involving the statistics of sequences and molecules, the structure and dynamics of bio-molecular networks, and the statistical dynamics of populations. The ultimate goal is to make molecular and evolutionary biology an increasingly quantitative, predictive science.
We integrate ideas from molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, biophysics, statistical mechanics, and bioinformatics into our work. In particular, the role of physics is two-fold: Biophysical measurements of molecular interactions, genomic sequences, and informations on gene expression are complementary sources of quantitative data at the molecular level. Statistical physics can help to translate these data into dynamical and evolutionary models. Conversely, quantitative biology will to lead to the formation of new concepts in statistical mechanics.
Current work of our lab is both theoretical and experimental. It ranges from the statistical theory of evolution to applied projects, which include the evolution of gene regulation (promoters, micro-RNAs), the evolution of complex phenotypes and networks (gene expression, protein interactions), and bacterial and viral systems (E. coli, influenza).Research areas
Evolution of regulationTime-dependent fitness and adaptive evolution
Biological networks
Genomic sequences and biomolecules
This DFG-funded Research Center joins biologists and physicists for research in molecular evolution.
