Room 1403 Science Complex 

488 Gordon Street 

Department of Integrative Biology 

University of Guelph 

Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Canada 

email: tcrease@uoguelph.ca

phone: 519-824-4120 x52723

Crease Profile on the Department webpage

We use cladoceran crustaceans in the genus, Daphnia, as a model system to study the impact of the loss of meiosis on the process of concerted evolution in ribosomal DNA.  In addition, we are interested in the interaction between the molecular processes, such as unequal crossing over and gene conversion, that cause concerted evolution, and natural selection to maintain the structure and function of ribosomal RNA molecules.

We also work on the characterization and population genetics of a DNA transposon, Pokey, which has been found to insert within a very specific region of the 28S rRNA gene in Daphnia rDNA. This element is unusual among rDNA-specific elements in that it also inserts at many other locations within the genome.

Use the links above for more information about the lab.