Research in the area of ‘bioinformatics and functional genomics’ leverages the power of genomic and post-genomic technologies, to address fundamentally important biological questions in a wide range of organisms, from a molecular level, through to a population perspective. Our laboratories provide a superb training environment for motivated post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates.

We study gene regulation and physiological adaptation in E. coli and other bacteria to better understand how bacteria cause disease and persist in the environment. We also have many collaborative projects with biochemists, engineers, industry and government agencies to develop new tools for monitoring water quality and understanding waste treatment processes from a microbiological perspective. We are using new DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis tools to track microorganisms, characterize composition of complex microbial communities and conduct comprehensive studies of gene expression.
Bioinformatics & Functional Genomics; Genetics & Molecular Biology