# Phenotypic Evolution and Adaptation

**Source**: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/units/hls/groups/phenotypic-evolution-and-adaptation
**Parent**: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/engage-and-innovate/consultancy

Group leader:
[Dr Daniela Santos Nunes](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/maria-daniela-santos-nunes)

Contact:

[msantos-nunes@brookes.ac.uk](mailto:msantos-nunes@brookes.ac.uk)

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About us

Leadership

Membership

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[About us](#research-about)
[Leadership](#research-leadership)
[Membership](#research-team)

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## About us

We are an evolutionary biology group with a particular focus on molecular evolution, population genetics and evolutionary developmental biology.

Currently, our research aims to provide a better understanding of the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits and the evolutionary processes responsible for their evolution.

Our work on *Drosophila* eyes and male genitalia has revealed new genes and developmental processes that contributed to divergence between some of the species of the *Drosophila melanogaster* species subgroup. We are continuing this work to build the gene regulatory network underlying the morphological diversification of these traits and test the functional and fitness effects of individual genes and mutations.

### Part of

- [School of Biological and Medical Sciences](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/bms "School of Biological and Medical Sciences")

### Related courses

- [Medical Genetics and Genomics (MSc / PGDip / PGCert)](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/medical-genetics-and-genomics)

## Leadership

### Dr Daniela Santos Nunes

- [+44 (0)1865 488629](tel:+44 (0)1865 488629)
- [msantos-nunes@brookes.ac.uk](mailto:msantos-nunes@brookes.ac.uk)

Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology

[View profile  for Daniela Santos Nunes](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/maria-daniela-santos-nunes)

## Membership

Research students

- Students

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### Students

| Name | Thesis Title | Supervisors | Completed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Amber Ridgway | Using evolution to uncover development in Drosophila male genitalia | [Dr Daniela Santos Nunes](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/maria-daniela-santos-nunes) | 2023 |

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