Emeline Favreau

Evolution and Adaptation

QMUL

UCL

Extensive studies have shed light on the morphologies, behaviours and evolutionary contexts of social insects, but understanding which genes are involved in social evolution is only now becoming possible. The 10,000- fold drop in DNA sequencing costs since 2007 enabled us first to identify genes linked to the complex social behavior of the invasive red fire ant (PNAS 2011) and more recently to discover that a pair of social chromosomes determines social structure in fire ant colonies (Nature 2013).

The project will examine the interplay between social evolution and genome evolution, ideally combining cutting-edge sequencing, genomics and bioinformatics approaches with fieldwork and laboratory experiments. Exact details of the project will depend on the student’s interests. The project will involve close work with the supervisors, collaborators and other members of the immediate research group and department.

This research will address fundamental evolutionary questions related to social evolution.

Outputs may impact pest control research (identification of targets) and genomics research on other organisms (bioinformatics scripts).

• QMUL PostGraduate Research Fund – QMUL
• Travel Grant – North West Section of IUSSI
• Conference Participation Fund – The Royal Entomological Society
• Travel Grant – The Royal Society of Biology
• Junior Scientist Conference Grants – The Genetics Society
• Junior Scientist Conference Grants – The Genetics Society
• –

• E Favreau, C Martínez-Ruiz, L Santiago Rodrigues, R L Hammond, Y Wurm (2018) Genes and genomic processes underpinning the social lives of ants

Blog Interview Interview. Contributors: Patrick KrapfA day in the life of … Interview. Contributors: The Biologist