Michael Hofreiter

My research focuses on the effect environmental changes have on genetic diversity,adaptations and population dynamics in animals. I am especially interested in the use of ancient DNA sequences to directly observe changes in the genetic make-up of populations. Using this approach we could detect complete population replacements and migrations that could not be deciphered using traditional methodologies. We have developed a variety of technologies that allow using next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) for projects involving many individuals, which adapts NGS for research in evolutionary biology and population biology. Currently we are focusing on the use of DNA hybridisation capture technologies for obtaining complete mitochondrial genomes and large targeted nuclear DNA data sets for phylogenetic, population genetics and functional genetics studies using fossil DNA.