Welcome to the Olson lab!
Our research is based at the Natural History Museum in London and is directed at understanding the patterns and genetic processes underlying animal diversity. Our work focuses on the flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes), a group of more than 50,000 free-living, symbiotic and parasitic species, including pathogens that have a major negative impact on our health and economy. Although much research is directed at their control and eradication, their extraordinary regenerative properties and complex life histories also make them useful as models in evolutionary and developmental studies.
We work in a collections-based institute with a strong emphasis on research in the areas of biodiversity, systematics and phylogenetics. In addition to these areas, we also address questions in the fields of evo-devo and genomics using model organisms in the laboratory. We collaborate with many labs around the world and are always happy to hear from people with shared interests!
Our research is based at the Natural History Museum in London and is directed at understanding the patterns and genetic processes underlying animal diversity. Our work focuses on the flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes), a group of more than 50,000 free-living, symbiotic and parasitic species, including pathogens that have a major negative impact on our health and economy. Although much research is directed at their control and eradication, their extraordinary regenerative properties and complex life histories also make them useful as models in evolutionary and developmental studies.
We work in a collections-based institute with a strong emphasis on research in the areas of biodiversity, systematics and phylogenetics. In addition to these areas, we also address questions in the fields of evo-devo and genomics using model organisms in the laboratory. We collaborate with many labs around the world and are always happy to hear from people with shared interests!
We are grateful to the BBSRC, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, The Royal Society, Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, National Science Foundation (US), and additional funding bodies for their generous support of our work.
All header images © PD Olson, 2010, except above: detail from "Vincent's Worms" by Wm. C. Campbell, 2003 (oil on canvas). Image of tapeworm in jar © Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, 2006.
