Rahbari Group

Somatic and Germline Evolution

We study how mutations arise, expand and are selected across somatic and germline tissues, and how these processes shape human disease and the genetic variation transmitted between generations.

Our Approach

Our research combines population and clinical cohorts with single cell, spatial and high-accuracy sequencing approaches to investigate the origins and consequences  of mutation across tissues. We are particularly interested in the evolution of the human germline, how inherited predisposition reshapes somatic evolution, and how environmental exposures influence mutagenesis and clonal dynamics.

Research Areas

Our group currently has the following major areas of research:

• Germline mutation and evolution. We investigate how mutations arise and are selected within the human and non-human germ cells, and how these processes change with age and influence transmission to the next generation. By combining direct analysis of germ cells with family and population data we aim to understand the developmental origins, clonal dynamics and selective forces that shape human genetic variation.
• Inherited predisposition and somatic evolution. Inherited mutations can alter the evolutionary trajectory of cells long before disease becomes apparent. Working with clinical cohorts and tissues from individuals with cancer-predisposition syndromes, we investigate how germline genetic variation shapes mutation landscape and clonal dynamics in normal, precancerous and malignant tissues.
  
• Environmental influences on mutagenesis: We study how environmental and therapeutic exposures, including chemotherapy, alter mutation acquisition and clonal dynamics in somatic and germline tissues. Our aim is to understand both the immediate genomic consequences of exposure and their long-term effects on disease and reproductive risk.
  
• Connecting genotype to cellular phenotype: We combine  single cell and spatial technologies to connect genetic variation with cell state and tissue organisation. We also develop experimental and analytical approaches to study mutations and their phenotypic consequences within their naive tissue context.  

Join our team

We are always on the lookout for bright and motivated people to join the group so, if you’re interested, please send Raheleh an email and include your CV.