Professor Richard Buggs

Professor of Evolutionary Genomics
Email: r.buggs@qmul.ac.ukTelephone: +44 (0)20 7882 8441Room Number: Room 5.24, Fogg Building
Postgraduate Teaching
Teaching on our Ecology and Evolutionary Biology MSc and Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics MSc:
- Research Frontiers in Evolutionary Biology (BIO731P)
Research
Research Interests:
I am interested in the mechanisms of evolution.
- How do new species originate?
- How are they maintained?
- What causes them to go extinct?
My lab works on genomic aspects of the evolution and conservation of plants, especially trees.
We have active research programmes in three areas:
(1) Phylogenomics of the ash tree genus Fraxinus
Ash trees in Britain, Europe and North America are threatened by ash dieback and the emerald ash borer. We are using phylogenomic approaches to find genetic variants in ash species that reduce their susceptibility to these two health problems. We have sequenced the genome of a British ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) with funding from NERC (see www.ashgenome.org).
Postdoc Laura Kelly is now sequencing the genomes of 35 other ash species from around the world, funded by the BBSRC, Defra, NERC, ESRC, Scottish Government and Forestry Commission. We are screening different ash species for susceptibility to ash dieback and the emerald ash borer, in collaboration with Forest Research (Roslin) and the United States Forest Service (Ohio). We will seek gene trees that have a topology matching the pattern of susceptibility of the species to each health problem.
Media interviews on this research can be found below.
(2) Birch trees on Scottish mountains.
Dwarf Birch is rare and found mainly above the tree line, whereas Downy Birch is widespread below the tree line. The two species hybridise a great deal. We are using new DNA sequencing methods to work out how the two species maintain their identity in the face of hybridization, and the extent to which hybridization impedes the conservation of dwarf birch. We are especially interested in how global warming affects the dynamics of this system. This work is funded by a Fellowship from the Natural Environment Research Council. We have recently sequenced the whole genome of Betula nana.
(3) Hybridisation of Tragopogon species (Daisy family) in south-east England.
We are studying diploid hybridisation between Tragopogon pratensis and T. porrifolius, which results in T. x mirabilis. We have found abundant hybrids in natural mixed populations in London and have preliminary evidence that they are reproducing. This work is funded by a pump-priming SYNTAX grant in collaboration with Andrew and Ilia Leitch.
- Find out more about Richard Buggs' work on his personal research website
- Find out more about the Buggs research laboratory
Research department
Publications
Browse a list of publications by Richard Buggs
- See Richard Buggs's Google Scholar Citations
Networks
Supervision
PhD supervision
Public Engagement
Media
Masters students
Students on our MSc Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics or MSc Ecology and Evolutionary Biology programme can apply to do their research project in this lab.
PhD students
Prospective PhD students are encouraged to apply to next year’s intake of the London NERC DTP.
Students from outside Europe should explore our studentships list.
Postdocs
Prospective postdoctoral research associates from outside the UK are encouraged to consider applying to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Richard Buggs directly.