Life's Origins and Evolution'
UCL is a world-class centre of excellence for research focussed on the understanding of the origins of life.
Why study evolution and origins of life at UCL?
UCL Bioscience and in particular the UCL Centre Life’s Origins and Evolution are at the forefront of research to the resolve the mysteries of the origin of life on earth and understand the process that govern organismal evolution across the tree of life. Research labs offer projects to students using an array of approaches, from statistical and theoretical methods, through data science, modelling and deep learning to high-throughput experimental and genomics techniques. From the deep sea to the crater lakes of Tanzania, field work is also commonly used to understand how biodiversity evolves in the Anthropocene, together with lab-focused projects.
Topics covered
Research topics covered by this stream include the following themes:
· Origin of life, bioenergetics and paleoenvironments (Pr. Nick Lane, Pr. Bridget Wade, Dr. Florencia Camus)
· Origin of multicellularity and major evolutionary transitions in plants, animals and protists (Pr. Chris Thompson, Pr. Max Telford)
· Role of hybridisation and whole genome duplication in evolution (Pr. Duncan Greig, Dr. Ferdinand Marlétaz)
· Origin and evolution of sex, altruism and parental care (Pr. Max Reuter, Dr. Florencia Camus, Dr. Rahia Mashoodh, Pr. Chris Thompson)
· Patterns of diversification across the tree of life using molecular phylogeny and fossils (Pr. David Murrell, Pr. Julia Day, Pr. Hernan Burnano, Dr. Stephen Pates)
· Dynamics of microbial populations (Pr. Wenying Shou)
· Emerging of biological complexity and novelty through evolution of development (Pr. Paola Oliveri, Dr. Ferdinand Marlétaz).
Students normally design a research project in agreement with their supervisor. A fuller list of potential supervisors can be found here.
Example project titles
- Understanding the role of metabolic genes in thermal adaptation
- Understanding evolutionary rescue in plants at their ecological margins on Mount Etna, Sicily
- How easy is it to detect an adaptive radiation?
- Population genomics of the Irish potato famine pathogen using ancient and modern DNA
- The genetic basis of adaptation to temperature in two yeast species
- Effects of mitonuclear incompatibilities on fitness in Drosophila melanogaster
- Study gene regulatory network for embryonic development using CRISPR/Cas technology
- Cellular decision making: genome wide approaches to understanding how conflict and cooperation have shaped the evolution of molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate choice during development
- Adaptive evolution in the flu virus
Suggested Evolution and Origins of Life taught module
Please Note: There may be access to modules other than those provided in the following lists. However, all optional modules must have the approval of the subject stream tutor. Some modules may be appropriate for more than one subject stream. You can view further information about the modules in the Module Catalogue.
Subject stream tutor
Dr. Ferdinand Marlétaz
Email f.marletaz@ucl.ac.uk
Evolution and Origins of Life images
