Physiological genomics

Being capable to adapt to local environmental conditions suggests a degree of evolutionary response to certain environmental changes. One intriguing evolutionary response of the stoneflies is through the oxygen changes. Some species showed sensitives responses to dissolved oxygen, while others showed a strong adaptation to low oxygen concentrations. Through a DAAD project in collaboration with Leibniz Institute in Berlin, we explored gene-expression codding genes by RNA-seq. We discovered gene expression changes linked with oxygen changes, and a new type of oxygen-related gene was identified, offering a direct link of how environmental factors plays a role in sharping the expression of some genes. Additionally, in collaboration with Montana University, we explored how these oxygen-related genes played a role on stoneflies species of floodplains alluvial aquifers.