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GENETICS, EVOLUTION AND ENVIRONMENT
The Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment (GEE) carries out world-class research and promotes an integrative approach to understanding biological systems at functional and genomic levels. Research strengths include: the biology of ageing in model organisms, bioinformatical and phylogenetic analysis of DNA/protein sequences in human and other species, genomic and functional studies of whole animal behaviour and physiology, and speciation research and studies of genetic variation and disease in human populations. GEE provides an enabling environment and offers excellent research facilities, analytical equipment and specialised laboratories. Staff play significant roles in the Centre for Ecology and Evolution, the Centre for Genetic Anthropology, the Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, the Environment Institute and the Institute of Healthy Ageing. GEE is also home to the recently established UCL Genetics Institute, which applies bio-statistical analysis and bio-informatics to the genetics of clinical disease.
Research themes are: • Biology of ageing • Comparative approaches to development and evolution • Environmental stress responses and evolution • Genetic variation and disease in human populations • Human genetic ancestry and diet • Molecular evolution • Sex, genes and evolution • Species and adaption • Causes of multifactorial genetic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological disorders. Entry requirements A minimum of an upper second-class Honours degree in an appropriate subject, or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard. Tuition fees UK/EU 2008/9 full-time: £3,300 Overseas 2009/10 full-time: £16,670 or £28,080 (fee depends on the research) For further information about fees, including part-time fees, see page 26. Taught programmes For details of the taught programmes offered by the Division of Biosciences see page 92. FT3 PT5
30 academic staff 45 research students 5 Research Assessment rating
STAFF VIEW Dr Astrid Wingler Senior Lecturer in Plant Biology The focus of my research is how plants respond to their environment; for example, how plants perceive environmental signals, how this affects plant growth and productivity and what genes determine the response of plants to their environment. Knowing the mechanisms that underlie the effects of the changing environment (including climate change) on plants is vital for sustainable crop production, for predicting effects on biodiversity and for managing the capacity of plants as CO2 sinks.
Contact details Mr Michael Wright EMAIL m.wright@biochem.ucl.ac.uk TEL +44 (0)20 7679 7033 FAX +44 (0)20 7679 7193 Funding Three Wellcome and one MRC 4-year programmes, MRC and BBSRC quota and CASE three- and four-year studentships, NERC and other studentships are available. There may also be funding opportunities through individual research grants as well as other programmes such as CoMPLEX. Further information on pages 26-31 Related departments Cell and Developmental Biology, page 93 Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, page 95 Structural and Molecular Biology, page 96
Research programmes MPhil/PhD
Biosciences research programmes booklet available, see page 136