Prof. Yitzhak Pilpel

We study the structure, function and evolution of genetic regulatory networks in microbes and mammals. We use computational biology and theory to formulate hypotheses on evolution of regulatory networks. A main research paradigm is experimental evolution with which we evolve organisms in the lab to tackle basic questions on dynamics and mechanisms of evolution. We aim to distil genetic determinants of evolvability – the capacity of organisms to evolve. We use lab evolution to reveal the role of evolutionary mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer, and reverse transcription. A major focus is on regulation of protein translation in which we study efficiency and fidelity of the process