Research in ‘omics and genetics is at the forefront of understanding life at the molecular level. Within the School of Biological Sciences, scientists use cutting-edge tools in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics to explore how genes and molecules shape the biology of organisms—from microbes to plants and animals.
This research helps answer fundamental questions about how traits are inherited, how organisms adapt to their environments, and how genetic variation contributes to biodiversity. Courses like BIOL333 (Molecular Genetics) and BIOL334 (Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics) provide students with a strong foundation in gene function, genome evolution, and the molecular basis of adaptation.
The university’s Biomolecular Interaction Centre (BIC) supports interdisciplinary research into how proteins and genes interact, which is crucial for understanding diseases, developing new therapies, and advancing biotechnology. Students and researchers also engage in bioinformatics, using computational tools to analyze large biological datasets—an essential skill in the era of big data biology.
Projects often involve sequencing the genomes of native species, studying gene expression in response to environmental stress, or identifying genetic markers for conservation. This work not only advances science but also supports practical applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management.
By combining laboratory science with computational analysis, UC’s ‘omics and genetics research is helping to unlock the secrets of life and train the next generation of molecular biologists.
Our staff have extensive local and international connections and welcome contact from potential students and collaborators.
Examples of our research include:
- Comparative genomics and transcriptomics to understand how evolutionary mechanisms impact related populations and species
- Microbial genomes and bacteriophage genomes
- Phylogenetics and genomics
- Conservation genetics and genomics
- What was the evolutionary genetic toolkit plants required for terrestrialisation?
- Gene expression in response to heat stress: how adaptable are intertidal organisms?
- Multi-omics to elucidate progression and efficacy of treatments for muscle disease, decipher conserved genetic circuits in non-model plants, elucidate plant-pathogen interaction in a changing enviroment
- The microbiomes role in celiac disease
- Application of meta-omics approaches to characterising microbial communities and functioning in ecosystems
- Gene expression in response to heat stress: how adaptable are intertidal organisms?
- What was the evolutionary genetic toolkit plants required for terrestrialisation?
- Multi-omics to elucidate function of microbial communities.
- Influential studies on the evolution of land plants, including work on the Marchantia polymorpha genome and the role of oil bodies in plant defense mechanisms.
