Author Archives: Kelle Freel

Non-model organisms are so hot right now

Posted on 4 Aug, 2017 by Kelle Freel

What makes a model organism? Well, as the name suggests, they are widely studied and have been adapted to a vast array of common genetic techniques. A few of the most often utilized organisms, which you are most likely already … Continue reading →

Posted in bioinformatics, domestication, evolution, genomics, next generation sequencing, yeast | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Genomes are coming: Sequence libraries from the honey bee reflect associated microbial diversity

Posted on 20 Jul, 2017 by Kelle Freel

One of the coolest of reasons that cheap sequencing is nifty, in my opinion, is that it has allowed researchers to study individual eukaryotic organisms, and their associated microbes (their microbiome). Let’s be real, we are in the midst of … Continue reading →

Posted in Coevolution, community ecology, evolution, genomics, metagenomics, microbiology, next generation sequencing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When less might be more: The evolution of reduced genomes

Posted on 23 Jun, 2017 by Kelle Freel

The advent of affordable genome sequencing has provided us with a wealth of data. Researchers have sequenced everything from Escherichia coli (4.6 Mbp genome size), to sea urchins (810 Mbp), chimpanzees (3.3 Gbp), and humans (3.2 Gbp). Then there are the … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, Coevolution, evolution, genomics, microbiology, population genetics, selection | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Molecular adaptation in a deep-sea alien…*ahem* amphipod

Posted on 24 May, 2017 by Kelle Freel

Space: the final frontier…or is it? I was inspired Jeremy’s post yesterday to talk about that deep dark abyss that takes up the vast majority of our mostly blue planet. For the record, I’m in agreement with the assessments for the … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, evolution, genomics, Molecular Ecology, the journal, next generation sequencing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Relatively rare tropical trees all agree: avoiding the 'rain of death' seems like a good call

Posted on 5 May, 2017 by Kelle Freel

When you think of a tropical jungle, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably a lush green landscape with trees, vines, flowers, and let’s be real, at least one toucan. Tropical forests are made up of diverse groups … Continue reading →

Posted in genomics, Molecular Ecology, the journal, next generation sequencing, plants, transcriptomics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

You can call her queen bee: the role of epigenetics in honeybee development

Posted on 13 Apr, 2017 by Kelle Freel

Insects have social lifestyles that are often organized in castes. Within the insect community, different individuals specialize, each having a unique role. This efficient method of doling out the workload, ultimately, is believed to be why social insect lifestyles are … Continue reading →

Posted in genomics, haploid-diploid, Molecular Ecology, the journal, next generation sequencing, RNAseq | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A sponge and its symbionts, using genomics to unravel complex relationships

Posted on 30 Mar, 2017 by Kelle Freel

The ocean is full of interesting organisms and even more fascinating (as well as difficult to tease apart) are the interactions among them. From deep sea giant tube worms, to the adorable bobtail squid, symbioses have a central role, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Coevolution, community ecology, genomics, metagenomics, microbiology | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How much wood would a termite chuck…if it was missing its microbial symbionts

Posted on 24 Feb, 2017 by Kelle Freel

Termites get a pretty bad rap, probably because we think of our houses disintegrating when they move in. Ironically, we have a lot to learn from these critters, and their mounds have served as an inspiration for modern architecture. Either … Continue reading →

Posted in Coevolution, evolution, genomics, microbiology | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Music to an amniote's ears, an "accordion" model of genome size evolution

Posted on 10 Feb, 2017 by Kelle Freel

How did we get where we are? Genetically speaking, that is. A few posts ago, that whole genotype-phenotype question was discussed, how do genomes make plants and animals (and don’t forget the microbes!) look and act how they do. Another … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, bioinformatics, evolution, genomics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

That's an H. erato of a different color!

Posted on 3 Feb, 2017 by Kelle Freel

What drives different coloration among birds, insects, flowers? One of the major goals in evolutionary studies is understanding what is going on in DNA that makes organisms different. A fancy way to say this is studying how an organism’s genotype … Continue reading →

Posted in evolution, genomics, phylogeography | Tagged , , | Leave a comment