Michael S. Rosenberg’s Laboratory

Computational Evolutionary Biology & Bioinformatics

E-mail: msr@asu.edu

The Rosenberg Lab focuses on the use of computational and statistical techniques for better understanding questions about the evolution of life. Our research spans a wide range of subjects within evolutionary biology and ecology, from molecular evolution to macroevolution and from single organisms to populations and ecosystems. Many issues in bioinformatics and genomics can only be evaluated in an evolutionary context; understanding the history of species, genes and the genome is essential to both measure parameters and to define patterns of mutation that lead to phenotypic differences among species or genetic disease.

We use a multi-faceted approach to computational evolutionary biology, but tend to focus on novel statistical and computer methodology (e.g., simulation, spatial statistics, and meta-analysis) to better describe and analyze empirical phenomena. Programming and development of custom software and informatics tools, both large and small, are a major part of our research paradigm.

We do not focus on a specific group of organisms, but rather study interesting aspects of evolution whatever the taxonomy. Recently, these have included projects focused on fiddler crabs, desert fish, and disease-causing vectors such as HIV, tuberculosis, and leprosy.

Bioinformatics & Genomics

Chromosome to DNA

Broadly speaking, bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science combining biology, computer science, mathematics, and statistics to study and process biological data. More narrowly, bioinformatics is defined as the study of how biological systems store, process, and transmit information (in particular, genomic and molecular biological data). Our lab encompasses both the broad and narrow definitions, generally using and developing computational methods and pipelines for analyzing biological data, as well as having specific interests and focus on comparative evolutionary genome analysis.

Fiddler Crab Biology & Evolution


Fiddler crabs (genus Uca) are a group of small, intertidal crabs in which males show a tremendous degree of body asymmetry, having one extremely large claw (containing up to half of their total mass) and a second, much smaller claw. Females have two small claws resembling the small claw of the male. Male fiddler crabs are famous for having complex signalling displays, waving the large claw in order to attract females and delimit territory. Each species has a unique wave which can be used to distinguish amongst species in the field.

In the past, we have studied the phylogenetic history and systematic of the genus, as well as the evolution of the shape and structure of the large claw. Currently we are focused on a cybertaxonomy project which tracks the history of taxonomic names in the genus and attempts to link names used in the literature with the actual species as recognized today. We maintain a website on fiddler crab biology, which includes information on every species, photographs, video, and a comprehensive reference list to all published fiddler crab research.



Phylogenetics is the study of the pattern of the tree of life. It includes both reconstructing the history of evolutionary relationships among living organisms, as well as the use of the history of life to understand the order, tempo, and conditions under which specific traits have evolved.

Our lab conducts phylogenetic work in both empirical and theoretical contexts. We conduct empirical studies to understand the evolutionary history of target groups of organisms or traits of interest. We conduct theoretical studies, generally using simulation approaches, to understand how assumptions and methods may bias or affect our ability to accurately reconstruct our evolutionary past.

Spatial Analysis, Landscape Genetics, & Landscape Ecology


Spatial analysis and statistics are methods designed for analyzing data with respect to their spatial (i.e., geographic) distribution. These methods are important because spatial patterning gives information about underlying processes affecting an observed phenomenon. Furthermore, spatially distributed data violated the assumption of independence common to standard statistical testing. Landscape ecology and landscape genetics are expansions of spatial statistics that attempt to explain ecological and population genetic as functions of the biotic and abiotic spatial landscape. We are interested in the use and development of spatial analysis methods, and have produced software for the statistical analysis of spatially distributed data called PASSaGE.


MetaWin Logo

Meta-analysis is a set of statistical methods for combining the results of independent studies. These methods have widespread use in medical research and the social sciences and have recently become an important tool in the life sciences. Our lab had developed techniques and software for meta-analysis (MetaWin) and has participated in working groups and led training workshops on meta-analysis in biology.