About
Geneticist Maitreya Dunham studies genome evolution in yeasts from a novel genomics perspective. Her lab uses experimental evolution and comparative genomics to investigate how genomes evolve on timecourses from a few weeks to millions of years.
One important path for evolution is via gene and chromosome copy number change. Several projects in the lab aim to identify the causes and consequences of copy number changes in cells adapting to new environments. The lab is also currently working on a variety of related technology development projects, ranging from instrument engineering for parallelized strain cultivation to applications of next-generation sequencing in genome characterization.
Awards
- Basil O’Connor Scholar, March of Dimes, 2011
- Rita Allen Foundation Scholar, 2010
- Marian E. Smith Junior Faculty Award, 2009
Relevant Publications
Dunham, M.J. et al. Methods in Yeast Genetics and Genomics: A CSHL Course Manual. 2015 ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015.
Sunshine, A.B. et al. “The fitness consequences of aneuploidy are driven by condition-dependent gene effects.” PloS Biol. 13, no. 5 (May 2015): e1002155.
Hope, E.A., and M.J. Dunham. “Ploidy-regulated variation in biofilm-related phenotypes in natural isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.” G3 4, no. 9 (2014): 1773–1786.
Liachko, I. et al. “GC-rich DNA elements enable replication origin activity in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.” PLoS Genet. 10, no. 3 (March 2014): 399–409.
Payan, C. et al. “The Dynamics of Diverse Segmental Amplifications in Populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Adapting to Strong Selection.” G3 4, no. 3 (March 2014): 399–409.
Caudy, A.A. et al. “A New System for Comparative Functional Genomics of Saccharomyces Yeasts.” Genetics 195, no. 1 (September 2013): 275–87.
Support Us
CIFAR is a registered charitable organization supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.