A comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and how organisms develop, evolve and interact with each other and the environment is vital to understand processes underpinning biological organisation across time and space in a world undergoing major environmental and ecological change.
To address a range of pure and applied research threads at micro- and macro-scales, we are unified in using state-of-the-art molecular methods to study a broad range of areas, from the individual to community level and across multiple biomes. Foci include rapid adaptation, high-throughput biodiversity ecological assessment, chronobiology, environmental microbiology, microbiomes and virology, life history strategies, evolutionary and developmental biology, phylogenetic reconstruction, parasite-host/trophic dynamics, speciation and population genetics. We use a breadth of cutting-edge techniques such as comparative genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, the analysis of contemporary and ancient DNA (e/aDNA) and 聽genetic manipulation of plant and animal models, including marker-assisted breeding to address global food security.
Researchers have shared access to recently refurbished laboratory and research spaces, including ancient/eDNA clean rooms, liquid handlers, a confocal microscopy suite, controlled-temperature rooms, glasshouses and Henfaes Farm, marine and freshwater aquaria, small mammal housing, insect and venomous and non-venomous reptile rooms. Supported access to the Supercomputing Wales high-throughput distributed computer network facilitates the necessary data analyses for downstream biological synthesis. Using such approaches, we are collaboratively focused on addressing consequential questions in global science from the molecular to the community level.