진화유전체학연구실

My research interests are focused on understanding the biodiversity, phylogeny, and genome evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes. In particular, we are interested in plastid evolution of the red algae and red algal plastid descendants (e.g., chromalveolate algae including the cryptophytes, haptophytes, stramenopiles, dinoflagellates, apicomplexa and ciliates). We also study Paulinella, which has recently acquired its plastid from a Synechococcus-like cyanobacterium. With this system we have the rare opportunity to study some of the earliest steps in plastid establishment. To do so, we use comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and morphological data of both photosynthetic and heterotrophic Paulinella species. We recently developed the single cell genome sequencing from individual cells of protists. Single cell genomics approach opens novel opportunities to study protist, prokaryote, and viral interactions in situ, without cultivation artifacts. This powerful method could be employed in diverse research area to address fundamental biological questions. The Evolutionary Genomics Laboratory focuses on algae—photosynthetic eukaryotes that are not classified as true plants—as its primary research subjects. Using genomic information, we investigate a wide range of evolutionary mechanisms. Our research spans from broad evolutionary processes such as the origin of sex to finer-scale questions such as the genetic basis of unique phenotypes found in certain algal lineages. These topics are approached through genome-based bioinformatic analyses. Because algae are relatively under-studied compared to animals or plants, our projects often begin with collecting target species in the field, followed by de novo genome assembly and gene model annotation. Based on these data, we apply div