DNA is the language of life, encoding the information that shapes organisms from single cells to complex multicellular forms. We bring together researchers working across unicellular organisms, plants, flies and mosquitoes, and human disease to uncover how genes and genomes function, evolve, and shape phenotypes. We integrate approaches spanning cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, functional multi-omics, and computational modelling to define fundamental principles of genome function, regulation, and evolutionary change. These insights inform new strategies to address challenges in health, agriculture, infectious disease, and global sustainability.

Centres, Institutes and Networks

Functional Genomics Network

Our researchers in this area

Dr Arkhat Abzhanov

Dr Michalis Barkoulas

Dr Srinjan Basu

Professor Martin Buck FRS

Professor Austin Burt

Dr Matthew A Child

Professor George K Christophides

Professor Andrea Crisanti

Professor Andrea Crisanti
Professor of Molecular Parasitology

Dr Alessia David

Professor Marc S Dionne

Dr Giorgio F Gilestro

Dr Derek M Huntley

Professor Mark Isalan

Dr Jose Jimenez Zarco

Professor Armand M Leroi

Dr Angela Meccariello

Dr Ruben Perez-Carrasco

Professor Vincent Savolainen

Dr Giovanni Sena

Dr Tony D Southall

Dr Marco Trizzino

Professor Colin G N Turnbull

Dr Nikolai Windbichler

Postgraduate research

Interested in studying a PhD at the Department of Life Sciences? Find out more about postgraduate research opportunties.