Conservation Genomics
We are interested in assessing the natural genetic variation harbored by animal populations, and then determining how to best use that information to assist their conservation. This often requires the use of noninvasive genetic sampling approaches (molecular scatology) to avoid the need for the capture of endangered or elusive animals or the use of ancient DNA technologies to study variation over long evolutionary time scales.
In an unrelated effort to understand the genetic threats to endangered species we are applying bioinformatics approaches to search for emerging signs of genetic deterioration in the genome sequences obtained from endangered species, such as elephants or the great apes.