Dr. Marek Mutwil and his research group combine bioinformatics, machine learning, data science, and experimental biology to study the evolution of the plant kingdom from the perspective of gene expression.

More specifically, we ask the questions:
1) What are the functions of plant genes? To generate cutting-edge gene function predictions we utilize our own and publicly available large-scale biological data, together with state-of-the-art ensemble prediction algorithms. We make these predictions publicly available with our popular online databases.

2) How are biological networks evolving? Biological features (e.g. secondary metabolites or disease resistance) are encoded by polygenic gene modules, which often cannot be identified by genomics. To uncover them, we combine genomic and gene expression information to identify modules of functionally-related genes. By constructing and comparing the modules of green algae, mosses, vascular-, seed- and flowering plants, we will gain a systems-level, kingdom-wide understanding of when these modules appear and how they change in plant evolution.

3) Which gene modules biosynthesize high-value compounds found in plants? Co-function networks based on RNA sequencing data are a proven tool to identify genes involved in the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. The group will focus on elucidating module-metabolite relationships with a special focus on plants of importance to Singapore and the bioprospecting of the rainforest. The functions of the elucidated modules, i.e. production of the secondary metabolites, will be tested by expression in heterologous systems, such as bacteria and/or yeast.