The Blackmon Lab is in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University. We study how and why the structure of genomes evolves. Our study organisms range from tomatoes and betta fish to beetles, chickens, and mammals. We use three general approaches in our research: theoretical population genetics, comparative methods, and genetics/genomics.

By integrating these approaches, we aim to understand the forces that shape genome architecture across the tree of life. Whether we are modeling the spread of chromosomal rearrangements, analyzing patterns of karyotype evolution across thousands of species, or mapping the genetic basis of traits in the lab, our goal is to uncover the fundamental rules governing genome evolution.

Current Research Questions

1. 1What evolutionary forces lead to the divergence of sex chromosomes, and what forces act on "old" highly diverged sex chromosomes?
2. 2Why does chromosome number evolve rapidly in some clades but remains nearly static in others?
3. 3Is there an ideal chromosome number, and if so, what determines that value?
4. 4What determines the fate of mutations that expand the proportion of the genome linked to a sex-determining locus?
5. 5Are there inherent fitness trade-offs between male and female phenotypes, or can a single genome be fit regardless of sex?
6. 6Does the importance of epistasis vary across plants and animals?
7. 7How does domestication impact organisms? What can we learn about adaptation and radiation from studying domestication?