Center for Mechanisms of Evolution
The Center for Mechanisms of Evolution at the Biodesign Institute focuses on mechanisms of evolution at the gene, genomic, cellular, and phenotypic levels, with special attention being given to the roles of mutation, random genetic drift and recombination.
Our goal is to decipher the general rules by which evolution proceeds in different lineages of organisms using experimental laboratory results and a mathematical framework. In essence, we are aiming to establish an entirely new field called evolutionary cell biology.
Evolution is a population-level process, and the underlying philosophy of the center's research is that "nothing in evolution makes sense except in the light of population genetics."