Our group studies the genetic architecture of complex traits and the regulation of gene and protein expression in plants, crops, and animals. We develop and apply computational methods, create new genetic resources such as in wheat, and analyse ancient crop genomes to trace domestication events. We also design computational approaches for genetic privacy, enabling secure federated quantitative genetics research.
Collaborations
Learn more about our collaborations with scientists at UCL, other universities, and scientific bodies.
Gallery
3,000 year old Egyptian emmer wheat husks. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-019-0534-5
Genomic Privacy in relation to quantitative genetic analysis. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.120.303153
Genomic information pathways and their numerical linkages as observed in Arabidopsis, in relation to the Central Dogma. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03741-0
NIAB Diverse MAGIC population of wheat intercrossing design. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-021-02354-7
Isoform-specific antagonistic dominant eQTLs of Foxj2 in rats. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-023-03060-2
Our principal funders
Selected publications
The distinct roles of genome, methylation, transcription, and translation on protein expression in Arabidopsis thaliana resolve the Central Dogma’s information flow (2025) Genome Biology. Co-authors: Zhong Z, Bailey M, Kim YI, Afsharyan NP, Parker B, Arathoon L, Li X, Rundle CA, Behrens A, Nedialkova D, Slavov G, Hassani-Pak K, Lilley KS, Theodoulou FL, Mott R.
Dominance is common in mammals and is associated with trans-acting gene expression and alternative splicing (2023) Genome Biology. Co-authors: Cui L, Yang B, Xiao S, Gao J, Baud A, Graham D, McBride M, Dominiczak A, Schafer S, Aumatell RL, Mont C, Teruel AF, Hübner N, Flint J, Mott R, Huang L.
Private Genomes and Public SNPs: Homomorphic Encryption of Genotypes and Phenotypes for Shared Quantitative Genetics (2020) Genetics genetics.303153.2020. Co-authors: Mott R, Fischer C, Prins P, Davies RW.
Limited haplotype diversity underlies polygenic trait architecture across 70 years of wheat breeding. (2021) Genome Biology22(1):137 Scott MF, Fradgley N, Bentley AR, Brabbs T, Corke F, Gardner KA, Horsnell R, Howell P, Ladejobi O, Mackay IJ, Mott R, Cockram J.
A 3,000-year-old Egyptian emmer wheat genome reveals dispersal and domestication history. (2019) Nat Plants Scott MF, Botigué LR, Brace S, Stevens CJ, Mullin VE, Stevenson A, Thomas MG, Fuller DQ, Mott R.
Got questions? Get in touch.
Contact us if you have any questions about the Mott Lab.
Mott Lab
Click to email. r.mott@ucl.ac.uk