Genetics and Genomics (Research)

Our Genetics and Genomics grouping is made up of the following available PhD and MRes courses:

• Genetics

• Population Genetics

• Medical Genetics

• Bioinformatics

• Molecular Genetics

• Comparative Genomics

• Human Molecular Genetics

• Molecular Evolution

• Evolutionary Genetics

We are ranked 8th in the UK for research power (2014). The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system used by UK higher education funding bodies to assess research quality in universities.

• Life sciences ranked 9th in the UK for research power

• More than 97% of research at Nottingham is recognised internationally

• More than 80% of our research is ranked in the highest categories as world-leading or internationally excellent

• 16 of our 29 subject areas feature in the UK top 10 by research power

The MRes/PhD titles you can choose from in this field are:

Genetics

Research within the school on ecological and evolutionary aspects of genetics includes:

• research on population genetics and genome evolution

• understanding the genetic basis of left-right body asymmetry

• phylogenetic analysis of adaptive radiations in snails

Population Genetics

Population genetics studies the genetic variation that exists in wild populations. Some research includes:

• the molecular genetic variation of humans and their viruses

• the genetic changes that are associated with speciation

• evolution of transposable elements

• the population genetics of genome structure

Medical Genetics

Some of the research in medical genetics in the school includes:

• analysis of genetic factors in congenital heart disease

• genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease

• genomic basis of centromere function

• genetic and epigenetic factors relevant to learning and cognition

Evolutionary Genetics

Research interests within the school include:

• The evolutionary and behavioural ecology of insects and mammals and other species

• Evolution and importance of sex in fungi

• The interface between evolution and development

Comparative Genomics

With whole genome sequences being available for numerous organisms across all kingdoms of life, numerous questions concerning genome evolution to gene function, genetic and metabolic networks, and genotype and phenotype traits, can be addressed through comparative genomics.

Bioinformatics

Researchers within the School of Life Sciences use bioinformatic analysis of related genomes to lead them to testable hypotheses. Research available covers all of these areas and will use our expertise and resources on genome sequences to yeasts and fungi.

Molecular Evolution

Some of the research areas we are interested in are:

• the molecular taxonomy of spiders and the link between rates of molecular and morphological diversification

• studies on the evolution of spider silk gene families and the relationship between silk diversification and speciation

• studies on the phylogeny of the foraminifera and the distribution of different genetic types across the oceans

Human Molecular Genetics

Within the human molecular genetics area, there is an emphasis on the role of repetitive DNA sequences in health and disease, and in chromosome stability. Some of our research areas include:

• studies to understand the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy, the identification of genes involved in human developmental heart disorders

• cardiac stem cells

• artificial chromosomes and chromosome segregation

Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics is the study of genes at the molecular level.

Some research involves:

• studies of the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy and the identification of genes involved in cardiac development

• The molecular and cellular effects of stress on yeast cells

• The genetic mechanisms that control sex in fungi.

• The mechanisms of RNA maturation.