Biodiversity Genomics and Analytics

Head of Scientific and Technical Services (STS) and co-lead of the Biodiversity Genomics and Analytics section.

I am interested in the genetics underlying species-level variation in plants which I study through a combination of classical genetics and the application of high throughput sequencing data (genomics, transcriptomics, hybrid capture).  I am particularly interested in developing bioinformatic approaches using hybrid capture to recover genetic data from herbarium specimens.  My group works mainly on Begonia but I also work with a range of other tropical groups including Inga.

Bryologist and Sample Coordinator for the Darwin Tree of Life 

I am a Bioinformatician at RBGE supporting the research of staff and students. 

Molecular Laboratory Manager

Biodiversity Genomics Laboratory Technician

I work on the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project, providing support for network and governance development, communications and dissemination. I have further roles in the secretariat for the Scottish DNA Hub and as Events Officer for the Systematics Association.

Ruth has worked at RBGE for over 30 years, starting

Michael applies holistic approaches —combining morphology, cytology, and molecular data—with molecular phylogenetics as the foundation for taxonomic and classification work. His current focus is on genomic methods to uncover the genetic basis of plant form diversity.

My research interests and experience lie in applying molecular methods to address evolutionary, ecological and taxonomic questions. I have answered such questions using a range of plant, invertebrate and vertebrate systems, with most of my recent research focusing on interacting communities of insect and plant species, including their associated taxonomy.

Kanae is a member of the Scientific and Technical Support (STS) team and responsible for imaging facilities, i.e., microscopes. She also provides general support for daily laboratory maintenance, supervision of laboratory methods including morphology, molecular and next generation sequencing methods. She is a developmental biologist, and her main interest lies in unravelling the evolutionary history of plant stem cells organizing the shoot apical meristem, using the family Gesneriaceae as study material. She is also a visiting researcher in Kanagawa University in Japan.

I am a botanist with over 30 years of experience in plant identification who also uses genetic tools to study and understand plant diversity. The combination of morphological and molecular techniques is a powerful approach to investigate evolutionary processes which, for instance, has led to the discovery of a new species of monkey puzzle trees (Araucaria) in New Caledonia by RBGE and collaborators.  A particular interest of mine are the possible effects of hybridisation on the evolutuionary history of species as well as the processes which shape and change plant populations over time (phylogeography).

Bioinformation and computational biologist.

I am passionate about using genomic data to understanding plant diversity and evolution. My research strengths are in plant taxonomy, bioinformatics, phylogenomics and molecular identification.

Herbarium Genomics Research Assistant (March 2021- Dec 2022)