Michael F. Palopoli

Associate Professor of Biology

Spring 2009

  • Evolution (BIO 216)
  • ADVANCED INDEPENDENT STUDY (BIO 402)
  • ADVANCED INDEPENDENT STUDY (BIO 404)
Phone (207) 725-3657
Title Associate Professor
Department BIOLOGY
Work Location 130D Druckenmiller Hall
E-Mail mpalopol@bowdoin.edu

Education:

B.S. Psychology, University of Michigan, 1987
M.S. Biology, University of Michigan, 1989
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1995

Teaching Area:

Evolutionary Biology

Research Interests:

My teaching and research interests are centered within the field of evolutionary genetics. Current research projects involving the model nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans include: testing current models of antagonistic coevolution by studying populations of nematodes that have evolved under different mating conditions; using mutants to examine the mechanism of cannabinoid action on nematode behavior; and using transgenic animals that express a fluorescent protein in nerve cells to determine the genetic basis of variation in neuronal morphology. In addition, we are studying the molecular population genetics of human follicle mites.

Other Interests:

Science fiction, online gaming,

Recent Publications:

(* indicates Bowdoin College undergraduate coauthor)

Palopoli MF, Rockman MV, TinMaung A*, Ramsay C*, Curwen S*, Aduna A*, Laurita J*, and Kruglyak L. 2008. Molecular basis of the copulatory plug polymorphism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature (in press, doi:10.1038/nature07171).

Prachumwat A*, DeVincentis L*, Palopoli MF. 2004. Intron size correlates positively with recombination rate in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 166:1585-90

Graustein A*, Walters J*, Gaspar J*, and Palopoli MF. 2002. Levels of DNA polymorphism vary with mating systems in the nematode genus Caenorhabditis. Genetics 161: 99-107.
Graustein_etal2002

Suzuki Y* and Palopoli MF. 2001. Evolution of insect abdominal appendages: Are prolegs homologous or convergent traits? Development, Genes, and Evolution 211: 486-492.
Suzuki Palopoli2001

Palopoli MF. 2000. Genetic partners in crime: Evolution of an ultraselfish supergene that specializes in sperm sabotage. Pp. 113-116 in Wolf, J, ED Brodie III, and MJ Wade, (eds.) Epistasis and the Evolutionary Process. Oxford Press, Oxford.

Palopoli MF and Patel NH. 1998. Evolution of the interaction between Hox genes and a downstream target. Current Biology 8: 587-590.

yoda - used with permission