In the section Genetics, Ecology and Evolution we study the evolution of life and adaptation of living organisms to the surrounding environment – also known as the study of evolutionary biology. For example, we investigate how organisms adapt to temperature changes, the evolution of species-specific mating systems and host-parasite interactions. Our research contributes to an understanding of the interactions between genetic and plastic mechanisms on one hand and temporal changes in population parameters on the other – and how these interactions enable or prevent adaptations to natural and man-made environmental changes. In addition, our work adds to greater understanding of evolutionary interactions between animals, plants and pathogens. We exploit and develop methods used in experimental evolution, population genetics and genomics, network analyses and field experiments.

Our researchers are involved in the following research areas: