Profile
Karin Van der Burg
Biological Sciences
Adjunct Assistant Professor
864-656-2328
Profile/About Me
We are interested in studying the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying seasonal changes in phenotypes. In particular we use butterflies and moths to ask how insects optimize fitness in different seasons, and how these fitness optimization mechanisms might evolve. We use an integrative approach ranging from physiological assays, genetic mapping, functional genomics, epigenetics, population genomics, and gene editing.
Specific projects include (1) the genetic mechanisms underlying endocrine regulation of seasonal phenotypic plasticity, and (2) the genetic underpinnings of winter adaption.
Research Interests
Evolutionary biology
Genotype to phenotype map
Epigenetic mechanisms
Courses Taught
BIOL 8430: Understanding Genetics and Evolution
Selected Publications
Karin R.L. van der Burg, Robert D. Reed: Seasonal plasticity: how do butterfly wing pattern traits evolve environmental responsiveness?, Current Opinions in Genetics and Development, 2021, 69, 82-87.
Karin R.L. van der Burg, James J. Lewis, Benjamin Brack, Richard A. Fandino, Anyi Mazo-Vargas, and Robert D. Reed: Genomic architecture and evolution of a seasonal reaction norm, Science, 2020, 370 (6517), 721-725
Karin R. L. van der Burg, James J. Lewis, Arnaud Martin, H. Frederik Nijhout, Charles G. Danko, Robert D. Reed: Contrasting roles of spineless and EcR in the highly dynamic chromatin landscape of butterfly wing metamorphosis, Cell Reports, 2019, 27 (4), 1027-1038. e3
