Hao Laboratory

Our primary research interest is to develop a better understanding of the highly dynamic genomic changes and their corresponding functional consequences. To accomplish this research, we conduct comparative genomic studies using next-generation sequencing, experimental and bioinformatics approaches. Much of our published work has been carried out on bacterial pathogens and eukaryotic mitochondria, and has focused on the exchange of genetic material between more or less distantly related genomes.

We plan to continue the investigation of genome evolution and associated functional consequences in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

1) Determine the role of horizontal gene transfer and homologous recombination in the evolution of genome architecture.

2) Investigate causes and consequences of genome variation.

3) Investigate mitochondrial-nuclear interactions.

4) Investigate the evolution and dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes.