CSB Faculty Candidate Seminar: Justin Crocker, PhD, Monday, January 27, 10 AM, Munzer!
The Department of Chemical and Systems Biology Presents
Faculty Candidate Seminar
Justin Crocker, Ph.D.
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Monday, January 27, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Munzer Auditorium
Talk Title: “Decoding Drosophila: Gene Regulation, Evolution, and Behavior in Context”
Talk Abstract: The Crocker group employs a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the genetic basis of complex traits, with a particular focus on gene regulation and its evolutionary dynamics. Leveraging the diverse ecological histories of Drosophila species, we utilize cutting-edge tools such as large-scale synthetic DNA libraries, targeted genome perturbations, and controlled evolution experiments to implement a “synthetic evolution” framework. By integrating genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and behavioral analyses, we examine organismal responses to environmental challenges at multiple levels. This holistic perspective provides novel insights into how gene regulatory networks evolve, adapt, and shape developmental systems in diverse ecological contexts.