Population Genomics

Our research integrates population genetic theory, methods development, and application of these to genomic data to answer questions at the interface of demography, selection, and recombination. We study how selection modifies gene flow in speciation, aim at identifying genes that act as barriers to gene flow, and want to understand how deleterious mutations accumulate in populations as a function of demographic history. The overall goal of our work is to understand the evolution and maintenance of genetic diversity in natural populations as well as in our own species.

Head of group: Dr. Simon Aeschbacher

Research themes

• Inferring the timing and strength of gene flow and selection
• Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation and speciation
• Quantifying the impact of demography on natural selection.