Experimental evolution

Experimental evolution is aimed at testing evolutionary hypotheses under  controlled conditions. As such, it can help us to disentangle the contribution of different  evolutionary processes. Cultured viruses, bacteria, yeast, or even higher eukaryotes with sufficiently short generation times can be used as model systems. Serial transfers of these organisms are performed in the lab under a variety of conditions, including different population sizes, physical environments, transmission modes, or mutation rates. Typically, we estimate biological fitness using growth rates or competition assays, but other parameters (e.g. virulence) can be studied as well.


Molecular biology

We use several molecular biology techniques, including RT-PCR, in vitro replication, sequencing, molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, or chemical mutagenesis, as well as microbiological and cellular biology basic techniques (cell culturing, monoclonal antibody production, viral transfers).


Comparative biology

Comparing species is the classical approach in biology. However, this has not very often been combined with experimentation. One of our main research goals is to compare the evolutionary properties of different species, including their ability to generate genetic variation, adapt to novel environments, tolerate deleterious mutations, or evolve new functional capabilities, in the laboratory.


Computational biology and modeling

We use computational tools for phylogenetic analysis, statistical analysis, modeling,  prediction of RNA secondary structures, or digital evolution.