Evolution of gene expression in Drosophila

While variation in gene expression is a major source of phenotypic diversity, our understanding of the processes driving changes in gene expression are still poorly understood. With the new sequencing technologies it will be possible to address many important questions about the evolution of gene expression. In this project the following aspects can be studied:

1) Evolution of sex-biased gene expression: are the differences in gene expression between males and females conserved among species?
2) Evolution of cis- and trans-effects: how does natural variation within and between species affect the regulation of gene expression?
3) Evolution of alternative splicing: to what extent do new splicing variants contribute to adaptation to different habitats?