Acrobeles complexus

The Blaxter Lab

Nematode & Neglected Genomics
@ The Blaxter Lab, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh crest

	Research in the Blaxter Lab
Earthworm Genomics		We are sequencing and annotating the genome of the model oligochaete annelid Lumbricus rubellus in collaboration with colleagues, who use it as an ecotoxicology model, and the GenePool. The project website is http://www.earthworms.org.
Snail chirality		Gastropod snails have chiral bodies, and can form either left-handed or right-handed shells. We are working with Angus Davison and Aziz Aboobaker (Nottingham) to identify the loci underpinning the genetic control of handedness in Lymnaea stagnalis, the common pond snail.
Complex speciation in Heliconius butterflies		Heliconius butterflies are an emerging model system for the study of the evolution of pattern in ecological context (butterfly wings are signalling systems), and for the evolution of species in their ecological contexts. This work is carried out in collaboration with Kanchon Dasmahapatra and Jim Mallet (London) and Chris Jiggins (Cambridge).
Heliconius butterfly pattern formation and speciation		We are working with Richard ffrench-Constant (Exeter) and Chris Jiggins (Cambridge) to examine the genetic and genomic underpinnings of Heliconius butterfly speciation
Restricition site associated DNA sequencing as an ecological genomics tool		RAD sequencing promises to revolutionise the study of 'wild genetics' We have a one year grant to explore applications of this technology to model (C. elegans) and non-model (oak trees, burying beetles) systems, in collaboration with the GenePool and Per Smiseth (Edinburgh)
Restriction site associated DNA sequencing for plant breeding		RAD sequencing promises to allow the rapid identiv=fication of loci underpinning traits of interest to plant breeders, and we are collaborating with Matthew Hegarty (Aberystwyth) in developing this for the UK plant science community.

	Other Projects

Nematode Genomics	Nematodes make up 4 out of every 5 animals on the planet, and likely comprise over 3 million species. We are using whole genome and transcriptome data to investigate the biology of freeliving and parasitic nematodes. We also house the 1000 nematode genomes project website.

Phylogenomics	We use transcriptome and genome data to investigate the interrelationships of (mainly animal) taxa.

Tardigrades	Tardigrades or water bears (or moss piglets) are near-ubiquitous members of meiofaunal communities. We investigate their diversity using DNA barcoding and their biology using a model species, Hypsibius dujardini

DNA barcoding	DNA-based taxonomy promises to be able to deliver a taxonomy for all organisms. We are investigating tools for DNA barcode data, and using the technology for tardigrades, nematodes and other meiofauna, earthworms, and other groups.

Bioinformatics	We write bioinformatics tools that reflect our needs for programs that deliver analyses of genomics, transcriptome and DNA barcode data. You can download them from this site.

Website Highlight

Gammarus pulex

The sand flea Gammarus pulex. See the ARTHROPODA database for analyses of ESTs from this crustacean and many other arthropods.

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