Molecular Evolution

The long term goals of the Molecular Evolution research group is to elucidate the impact of evolution of plant multigene families and their impact on plant genomes, natural products, natural variation and interactions with insects and microbes. Plants have evolved a refined and dynamic adaptation to abiotic and biotic stress based on the ability to synthesize a vast array of secondary metabolites/ natural products. Cytochromes P450 and family1 glycosyltransrerases are key multigene familes that constantly are being recruited for biosynthesis of natural product, while β–glucosidases are important for the bioactivation of stored inactive defence compounds. To learn more about these three gene families, please visit our website www.p450.kvl.dk/ (The Arabidopsis P450, cytochrome b5, P450 reductase, and Glycosyltransferase Family 1 Site at PlaCe).

 

Evolution of plant multigene families and their impact on plant genomes, natural products, natural variation and interactions with insects and microbes

 

To study the impact of these three key multigene families, we have developed at technical platform based on 1) metabolomics by LC-MS methods, 2) transcriptomics 3) metabolic engineering and molecular genetics, 4) molecular phylogeny and 5) homology modeling of enzymes combined with docking of substrates supported by biochemistry, 6) insects.