In the Peichel Lab, we are generally interested in identifying the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie evolutionary processes. Our model system is a small fish called the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). These fish have evolved incredible diversity in their behaviors, morphologies and life histories in a relatively short evolutionary time scale.
Recently, a number of genetic and genomic resources have been developed for threespine sticklebacks; these have provided the means to investigate the actual genetic and molecular changes that underlie phenotypic diversity.
Current research in the Peichel Lab is aimed toward understanding the genetic basis for reproductive isolation between threespine stickleback populations, the evolution of the genetic and neural circuits that underlie behavior, and the evolution of sex chromosomes.
