Prof. Dr. Alex Widmer

Research area

I am interested in evolutionary processes in plants. Current research projects focus on the genetic basis of adaptation, the evolution of reproductive isolation and ecological speciation, as well as the evolution of separate sexes and sex chromosomes in plants.

Developing a better understanding of the genetic basis of adaptation is of fundamental interest in evolutionary plant biology but is also of central interest in the light of global environmental change. The process of adaptation links ecological with evolutionary processes in the context of ecological speciation. Most of our projects combine population genomic or transcriptomic analyses with field or greenhouse experiments.

In an effort to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity we aim to develop molecular tools to help identification and tracing of tropical timber species. Current projects focus on rosewoods in the genus Dalbergia (Fabaceae).