Our group is aiming at a new synthesis of evolution and molecular function. Genomes are encoding complex information that the cell is using to constr-  uct complex biological systems. Reading this information (or decoding it from the DNA sequence) is a major challenge. One powerful approach to this problem is using comparisons of genomes from related species, like different kinds of yeasts (here and here), mammals, or primates. Another approach is utilizing modern technology (high density array, ultra-fast sequencing) to probe genome activity on a large scale. We are working on understanding how does genome function affect divergence between species, and how does the dynamic of mutations in a population affect the conservation of essential function and the emergence of novel one.

We work on these really great challenges through the study of specific questions and continuous development of unifying computational machinery. Current focuses include cancer epigenetics, evolution of transcriptional regulation and context-aware mutational processes.