All biological components that are genetically encoded are subject to evolution—selective pressures in their ecological niche. With biochemists and protein engineers, we develop (phylogenetic) tools for detecting what specific changes explain the make-up of a gene or protein; this leads to a fundamental appreciation of genetic determinants of success, but can also be used to design novel, reconstruct ancient variants or even re-run evolution artificially to generate products that perform in conditions for medical, industrial and agricultural applications in the emerging bioeconomy.

1. Inferring sequence and traits of ancestral genes and proteins
2. Phylogenetic prospecting of proteins and their variants for protein engineering

• Approach: Reconstruction of the enzyme super-family incorporating MBLs and analysis of evolutionary determinants relevant to their antibiotic resistance
• Contacts: m.boden@uq.edu.au
• Collaborators: Hugenholtz, Schenk, Soo, Schofield

Bioinformatics methods for understanding transcriptional and epigenetic regulation during mammalian development and in disease is a significant focus. We are relying on technologies such as single-cell RNA-seq and ChIP-seq, in collaboration with developmental, neuroscience and cell biologists at UQ and elsewhere.

1. Data integration for understanding genetic drivers in development and disease
2. Statistically analysing and extracting biological meaning from genome-wide data

• Approach: Experimental data is typically scarce and difficult to juxtapose on phylogenies.

Models of evolution to triangulate successful ancestral catalysts

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