Welcome to the Lab of Dr. John M. Burke
Department of Plant Biology – University of Georgia – Athens, GA
Our research is primarily focused on plant evolutionary genetics and genomics. In our work, we use a diverse set of technologies and approaches to better understand the molecular basis of phenotypic divergence within the sunflower family (i.e., the Compositae or Asteraceae). We also maintain an interest in the ecological and evolutionary effects of gene flow from genetically modified crops into their wild relatives.

Specific topics of interest include the plant domestication, crop evolution, the evolution of genome structure, floral developmental evolution, crop-wild gene flow, transgene escape, speciation, hybridization, and the evolution of reproductive isolation.

For a more detailed description of projects in the lab, please click through to our research page.