WELCOME TO THE ORTIZ-BARRIENTOS LABORATORY
In The Ortiz-Barrientos Lab we seek to understand the genetic and ecological basis of the origin of new species and traits. We combine empirical and theoretical approaches from multiple disciplines.
We are located in beautiful Brisbane, Australia, in the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Queensland.
Please explore our pages to learn about research, culture, and the team of scientists that bring their passion and creativity to discovering how nature works.
SPECIATION | ADAPTATION | QUANTITATIVE GENETICS | SEXUAL SELECTION | FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS | POPULATION GENETICS | SYSTEMS BIOLOGY | COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY |
THE GENETIC LINK BETWEEN ADAPTATION AND SPECIATION
Adaptations can arise from the evolution of interactions among many genes and traits.
We are exploring whether such interactions influence the evolution of reproductive isolation.
We are carrying out mapping experiments to test the genetic co-architecture of Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities and polygenic adaptation.
This work is funded by a Future Fellowship to Daniel.
THE EVOLUTION OF GENETIC NETWORKS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON CORRELATED EVOLUTION
We are using mathematical, computational, and functional genetic approaches to understand the evolution of networks during polygenic adaptation.
We are testing the virtues and limitations of the infinitesimal model in predicting adaptive trajectories, and evaluating if embracing the complexity of stochastic models of regulatory networks improve predictability.
This work is funded through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success, where Daniel is a CI
EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION OF
COMPLEX TRAITS AND ADAPTATIONS
We use advanced recombinant populations between ecotypes to understand the response to selection over multiple generations. We guide the search for adaptive traits from patterns of genomic divergence across replicates populations from different ecotypes.
We also use these recombinant populations to explore genomic prediction models for adaptive traits after selection on complex genetic networks.
This work is funded through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success where Daniel is a CI.
THE GENETICS OF REPLICATED EVOLUTION
We are using a case of parallel evolution to understand how natural selection drives the repeated and independent evolution of genes, pathways, and traits.
We use population genomics and quantitative genetics in replicate populations to understand the interplay between selection and recombination during polygenic adaptation.
This work is funded by an
ARC discovery grant to Daniel and Jan
THE EVOLUTION OF GAMETIC INTERACTIONS IN PLANTS
Using a variety of breeding and evolutionary designs we are exploring how sexual conflict, sexual selection, local adaptation, and reinforcement govern the interactions between male and female function in plants. We are interested in the consequences these processes might have on plant diversification.
We have been exploring the arenas for sexual selection in angiosperms. We are currently evaluating how pistils drive the evolution of reproductive isolation, gametic interactions, and leave signatures on genes with female or male-biased function.
This work is funded by ARC grants to Daniel. We collaborate with the Rieseberg and Ostevik Labs.
GENOMIC RESOURCES FOR SENECIO
We are developing resources in S. lautus to develop multiple de-novo genome assemblies, hundreds of re-sequenced genomes from its geographic and ecological range, linkage maps, recombinant populations, germplasm, and leaf-material from over 50 populations.
This work has been funded through ARC grants to Daniel
CONTACT US
Thank you for your interest in our research. Get in touch with us for any questions or comments regarding our work and publications.
The University of Queensland
School of Biological Sciences
St Lucia, QLD 4072
Australia
