The Computational Molecular Evolution Laboratory

The study of molecular evolutionary genetics deals with evolutionary change at its most fundamental level - that of DNA and protein sequences. Using molecular genetic data, one can answer questions about the history of life and the processes underlying evolutionary changes in the biochemistry, physiology, morphology, and behaviour of organisms. Current work includes using the interactions between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and specific immunity as a model system with which to study the nature of selection and adaptation at the molecular and population levels. A computational approach is taken that involves comparative sequence analysis and simulation modelling.