http://arguellolab.org/contact daily 0.75 2025-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1619094682658-0A0UHHPRPZDZZJ57TVEG/white.png Contact - Contact info email: r.arguello@qmul.ac.uk School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences Queen Mary University London G.E. Fogg Building Office 6.17 http://arguellolab.org/evo-neuro daily 1.0 2026-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1619094682658-0A0UHHPRPZDZZJ57TVEG/white.png Intro We are a research group in the Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics at Queen Mary University of London. Our lab uses evolutionary/population genomic and neurobiology approaches to investigate the genetic and cellular changes underlying the diversification of sensory perception and related questions in evolutionary biology. http://arguellolab.org/research-info daily 0.75 2018-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1521475213396-382LAWW00SXIPLZIEK8I/white.png Research - brief research overview We are interested in the genetic and neural bases of sensory evolution. • How do closely related species (or populations) come to differ in their ability to sense and/or respond to common environmental stimuli? • What are the genes and neurons involved in these changes? • What are the evolutionary forces governing the modifications? We are also interested in evolutionary genomic topics, including local adaptation and the evolution of gene families. These themes often overlap with our sensory biology questions and result in cross-disciplinary approaches that draw on tools from molecular neurogenetics, comparative genomics, and physiology. Currently, the sensory modalities we are investigating are olfaction and temperature sensing, both of which evolve quickly and are often involved in local adaptation. To do this work we utilize diverse Drosophila species and populations from around the globe. more detail on the projects here   http://arguellolab.org/publications daily 0.75 2025-06-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/f1c3f6dd-4066-43e0-a8b8-8245ac260bb1/whiteBG.png publications - 2025 Tane Kafle, Manuel Grub, Panagiotis Sakagiannis, Martin Paul Nawrot, J. Roman Arguello. Evolution of temperature preference behaviour among Drosophila larvae. iScience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1594364188790-7PRFMTJ16XYEC3XS53SL/whiteBG.png publications - 2024 Suguru Takagi, Liliane Abuin, S. David Stupski, J. Roman Arguello, Lucia Prieto-Godino, David L. Stern, Steeve Cruchet, Raquel Álvarez-Ocaña, Carl F. R. Wienecke, Floris van Breugel, Thomas O. Auer, Richard Benton. Olfactory sensory neuron population expansions influence projection neuron adaptation and enhance odour tracking, Nature Communications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/f1c3f6dd-4066-43e0-a8b8-8245ac260bb1/whiteBG.png publications - 2024 Gwénaëlle Bontonou*, Bastien Saint-Leandre*, Tane Kafle, Tess Baticle, Afrah Hassan, Juan Antonio Sánchez-Alcañiz, J. Roman Arguello. Evolution of chemosensory tissues and cells across ecologically diverse Drosophilids, Nature Communications. (*equal contribution) - CTCT dashboard to explore the data - assocatied data files https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1632537328209-RTGLPE0Z7TQRXEQ86CNM/whiteBG.png publications - 2022 Thomas O. Auer, Raquel Álvarez-Ocaña, Steeve Cruchet, Richard Benton, J. Roman Arguello. Copy number changes in co-expressed odorant receptor genes enables selection for sensory differences in drosophilid species, Nature Ecology & Evolution. - “behind the paper” summary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1594364188790-7PRFMTJ16XYEC3XS53SL/whiteBG.png publications - 2021 J. Roman Arguello*, Liliane Abuin*, Jan Armida, Kaan Mika, Phing Chian Chai, Richard Benton. Targeted molecular profiling of rare olfactory sensory neurons identifies fate, wiring and functional determinants. eLife,10:e63036 (*equal contribution) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1571332601343-XZVH5NGBTBZHE75PBRQ2/whiteBG.png publications - 2020 Thomas O. Auer, Mohammed A. Khallaf, Ana F. Silbering, Giovanna Zappia, Kaitlyn Ellis, Raquel Álvarez-Ocaña, J. Roman Arguello, Bill S. Hansson, Gregory S.X.E. Jefferis, Sophie Caron, Markus Knaden and Richard Benton. Olfactory receptor and circuit evolution promote host specialisation. Nature, 579, 402–408. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1532182667052-652CEGG6HV4EZURSENXZ/white.png publications - 2019 J. Roman Arguello*, Stefan Laurent*, Andrew G. Clark. Demographic history of the human commensal Drosophila melanogaster. Genome Biology & Evolution, 11(3):844–854. (*equal contribution) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530629610921-6VYDFKQGR2JPJK87CMXY/white_BG.png publications - 2017 J. Roman Arguello, and Richard Benton. Tackling Darwin’s "Instincts": The Genetic Basis of Behavioral Evolution. BMC Biology,15:26. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530629670786-76C8U7XE3EKG4BID360C/white_BG.png publications - 2017 Angela M. Early, J.Roman Arguello, Margarida Cardoso-Moreira, Srikanth Gottipati, Jennifer Grenier, Andrew G. Clark. Survey of Global Genetic Diversity within the Drosophila Immune System. Genetics, 205: 353-366. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530630048763-I5266XVRJ99Q9PCZGMXO/white_BG.png publications - 2016 Vincent Croset, Michael Schleyer, J. Roman Arguello, Bertram Gerber, and Richard Benton. A molecular and neuronal basis for amino acid sensing in the Drosophila larva. Scientific Reports, 6, Article number: 34871. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530630161076-QWK3G8T45LWWIJHIKCJ7/white_BG.png publications - 2016 Lucia L. Prieto Godino, Raphael Rytz, Benoîte Bargeton, Liliane Abuin, J. Roman Arguello, Matteo Dal Peraro and Richard Benton. Olfactory receptor pseudo-pseudogenes. Nature, 539, 93-97. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530630664880-UVD1S157KN5L1DHRS6XM/white_BG.png publications - 2016 J. Roman Arguello, Margarida Cardoso-Moreira, Jennifer Grenier, Srikanth Gottipati, Andrew G. Clark, Richard Benton. Extensive local adaptation within the chemosensory system following D. melanogaster’s global expansion. Nature Communications, 7:11855. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530630755668-ADHMBZKGVIW6HNHMX8I7/white_BG.png publications - 2016 Margarida Cardoso-Moreira, J. Roman Arguello,Srikanth Gottipati, L.G. Harshman, Jennifer K. Grenier, Andrew G. Clark. Evidence for the fixation of gene duplications by positive selection in Drosophila. Genome Research, 26 787 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530630987950-88HKBHYHU7FOUZ40JMM0/white_BG.png publications - 2015 Jennifer K. Grenier*, J. Roman Arguello*, Margarida Cardoso Moreira, Srikanth Gottipati, Jaaved Mohammed, Sean R. Hackett, Rachel Boughton, Anthony J. Greenberg, Andrew G. Clark. Global Diversity Lines - A five-continent reference panel of sequenced Drosophila melanogaster strains. G3, 5: 593-603.-798. (*equal contribution) - associated data files https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530631091732-G07IGJ25HKFOPGUNGPS9/white_BG.png publications - 2013 J. Roman Arguello, Carolina Sellanes, Yann Ru Lou, Robert A. Raguso. Can Yeast (S. cerevisiae) Metabolic Volatiles Provide Polymorphic Signaling? PLoS One, 8(8): e70219. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530631209660-63CN328B25SU6V39BCJC/white_BG.png publications - 2012 Margarida Cardoso-Moreira, J. Roman Arguello, Andrew G. Clark. Mutation spectrum of Drosophila CNVs revealed by breakpoint sequencing. Genome Biology, 13:R119. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1530786156041-O8O3XQQIFMA11VNL9KC1/white_BG.png publications - 2011 J. Roman Arguello & Tim Connallon. Gene Duplication and Ectopic Gene Conversion in Drosophila. Genes, 2:131-151. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327183361-X0P31VDSLG0C3BKAA2VC/white_BG.png publications - 2010 J. Roman Arguello, Yue Zhang, Tomoyuki Kado, Chuanzhu Fan, Ruoping Zhao, Hideki Innan, Wen Wang, and Manyuan Long. Recombination yet inefficient selection along the D. melanogaster subgroup’s fourth chromosome. Molecular Biology & Evolution, 27: 848-861. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327294741-VLWZQN78I0XKNZ73SSWY/white_BG.png publications - 2008 Shuang Yang*, J. Roman Arguello*, XinLi, Yun Ding, Qi Zhou, Ying Chen, Yue Zhang, Ruoping Zhao, Frederic Brunet, Lixin Peng, Manyuan Long, Wen Wang. Repetitive Element-mediated Recombination as a Mechanism for New Gene Origination in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics, 4(1): e3. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327409474-L722WATS8O7I1LRNDFMP/image-asset.png publications - 2007 Carolyn S. McBride*, J. Roman Arguello*. Five Drosophila Genomes Reveal Nonneutral Evolution and the Signature of Host Specialization in the Chemoreceptor Superfamily. Genetics, 177: 1395-1416. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327481758-AS382RS0HN9M1HI0CIDL/white_BG.png publications - 2007 Drosophila Comparative Genome Sequencing and Analysis Consortium. Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny. Nature, 450, 203-218. (Organizer and coauthor of chemosensory system section) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327536121-I55FDFAG05FJJ9QB12QX/white_BG.png publications - 2007 J. Roman Arguello, Chuanzhu Fan, Wen Wang and Manyuan Long. Origination of Chimeric Genes through DNA-level Recombination. Volff J-N (ed): Gene and Protein Evolution, Genome Dynamics. Karger Basel, Switzerland, vol 3, pp.147-162. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327699634-KRD3XVVKNOWSOT2S8JGV/white_BG.png publications - 2006 J. Roman Arguello, Ying Chen, Shuang Yang, Wen Wang, Manyuan Long. Origination of an X-linked Testes Chimeric Gene by Illegitimate Recombination in Drosophila. PLoS Genetics, 2(5): e77. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531327907999-WZ40NV1QZMWPD1FU5ST8/white_BG.png publications - 2005 Eric A. Hoffman, Nicolas Kolm, Anders Berglund, J. Roman Arguello, and Adam G. Jones. Genetic structure in a coral reef associated Banggai cardinal fish, Pterapogon kauderni. Molecular Ecology, 14: 1467-1375. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531328029939-G97T2714F8QWSFS42ZQW/white_BG.png publications - 2004 Jones, A.G., J. Roman Arguello, and S.J. Arnold. Molecular parentage analysis in experimental newt populations: the response of mating system measures to variation in operational sex ratio. American Naturalist, 164: 444-456. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531328194835-H8ELMQ97WP40BLGNBL23/white_BG.png publications - 2004 Hoffman, E.A., J. Roman Arguello, N. Kolm, A.Berglund,and A.G. Jones. Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci in a coral reef fish, Pterapogon kauderni. Molecular Ecology Notes, 4: 342-344. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1531328265077-H93ELELHQPQIRO5WOKDF/white_BG.png publications - 2002 Jones, A. G., J. Roman Arguello, and S. J. Arnold. Validation of Bateman’s principles: a genetic study of mating patterns and sexual selection in newts. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 269: 2533-2539. http://arguellolab.org/gwnalle-bontonou daily 0.75 2019-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1561992678500-J06KUXKET1N4PVBXXK8X/gwen_IMG_3230.jpg Gwénaëlle Bontonou - Gwénaëlle Bontonou I obtained my PhD in 2014 from the University of Paris-Sud. My graduate research, under the supervision of Claude Wicker-Thomas, focuses on the evolution of Drosophila pheromones. I worked with D. melanogaster and D. simulans populations with divergent male pheromonal profiles related to their geographical origin. I studied the impact of temperature on the synthesis of these pheromones as well as their role in the establishment of sexual isolation. I was also interested in the genetic changes that caused the variation and the evolution of these pheromonal profiles. Following my PhD I did my first postdoc in Martine Simonelig’s lab where I worked on the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation by the piRNAs pathway in the Drosophila embryo. 2018 Postdoc at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland Advisor: Roman Arguello 2014-2018 Postdoc at the Institut de Génétique Humaine, France Advisor : Martine Simonelig 2010 - 2014 Ph.D. – Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, France Advisor : Claude Wicker-Thomas 2008 - 2010 M.Sc. in Evolutionary Biology at the University Paris-Sud, France http://arguellolab.org/roman-arguello daily 0.75 2025-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/b08abf08-9680-4e99-8f3b-11a7f0aac870/roman_photo.jpg Roman Arguello - Roman Arguello Nov 2023 - Senior lecturer in Genetics, Genomics and Fundamental Cell Biology School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences Queen Mary University London July 2018 - Sept 2023 Assistant Professor Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Lausanne, Switzerland 2012-2018 Postdoc University of Lausanne's Center for Integrative Genomics w/ Prof. Richard Benton 2008-2012 Postdoc Cornell University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics w/ Prof. Andrew Clark 2002-2008 PhD University of Chicago's Committee on Evolutionary Biology w/ Prof. Manyuan Long 2004-2008 MSc University of Chicago's Committee on the Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science advised by: Prof. Robert Richards & Prof. William Wimsatt 1997-2002 BSc Oregon State University http://arguellolab.org/links daily 0.75 2025-05-28 http://arguellolab.org/tane-kafle daily 0.75 2021-10-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1633612332122-LHS30PMFJVWAWZFR42AK/tane_fig1_website.png Tane Kafle Figure 1. (A) Hypothetical trees, on the left we have a standard hierarchical tree, whereas on the right in green we have a similar tree with reticulation events. (B) Map of Japan with rough estimate of distributions of D. lutescens in blue and D. takahashii in orange. On the right there are admixture plots, we expect individuals in the north to be of D. lutescens ancestry, the south to be of D. takahashii, and a mix in the middle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1633613225296-OV8YT1IC8VPQAE3K9RW8/tane_fig3_website.png Tane Kafle Figure 2. (A) Cartoon illustration of the arena for behavioural assays. It consists of a metal plate and four peltier elements, which either generate hot or cold. The gradient is carried on the metal plate. The temperature of the peltier is controlled by an Arduino. Assays are carried out in evenly illuminated red light. (B) Runs of the assay are recorded by a thermal camera to measure the temperature gradient, and a camera to record larval movement (white paths). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1633613603878-ITLP02YULH6FNZMAKUVH/tane_fig2_website.png Tane Kafle Cartoon illustration of different habitats on this planet, representing a hot climate, a cooler climate and a cold climate. http://arguellolab.org/team-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/5e58f923-774d-4fd9-96e1-aa2ba7b18166/roman_photo.jpg Team - Roman Arguello Senior lecturer in Genetics, Genomics and Fundamental Cell Biology Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/abfcee4c-da01-4bad-af21-f939fcd70336/sarah_hume.jpg Team Sarah Hume PhD Student https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/9fbea716-d3de-4dd7-9a81-cff49a875acf/scientist-7945841.png Team - Batool Mahmoud Bioinformatics Masters student (co-advised w/ Matthew Day) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/32e01da9-3e9a-4b7a-a6c7-6c40739ed51e/scientist-7945841.png Team - Vaia Vlachou Bioinformatics Masters Student (co-advised w/ Matthew Day) http://arguellolab.org/past-members daily 0.75 2024-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1572107065831-C0GM83F2NE1GG3OGZWJ1/whiteBG.png past members - ast members • Afrah Hassan (Sept 2021 - Feb 2023): Technician • Sophila Pivatto Serra (Sept 2022 - Dec 2022): Intern from University of Campinas, Brazil • Juan Rueda Ramíez ( Oct 2022 - Jan 2022): 1st step Masters student • Manuel Grub (Feb 2021 - Feb 2022): Masters student • Silvia Garcia (Sept - Dec 2021): Bioinformatics intern from University of Alicante •Fanny Herbillion (Feb - July 2020): Intern from Agrosup Dijon & University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté •Juan Antonio Sánchez Alcañiz (2018-2019): Visiting postdoc. Currently a group leader at The Institute of Neuroscience in Alicante http://arguellolab.org/bastien-saint daily 0.75 2021-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1633600210947-HO2Q8U9D2NSDL1FQOVJ5/bastien_2831.jpg Bastien Saint Leandre I have been trained as an evolutionary genomicist and molecular biologist during both my PhD (University of Paris-Saclay) and Post-Doc (University of Pennsylvania). My research interests focus on evolutionary forces driving the diversification of essential host functions. So far, I explored the role selfish genetic elements (i.e. Transposable Elements) in shaping Drosophila evolution and how Drosophila genomes adapt to such drastic changes. Joining the Arguello Lab, I aim to understand how Drosophila adapt to environmental changes through modulation of gene expression in sensory systems. http://arguellolab.org/research daily 0.75 2025-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1634570259491-BZUS825LDK42UMJEX847/or67a_brain.png research - Evolutionary diversification of sensory systems Sensory systems vary extensively between species. Some animals possess seemingly minimal and streamlined systems, while other animals have large and complex sensory systems. Why do these changes arise, and what are the molecular changes and evolutionary forces required to expand or contract these systems? We are using evolutionarily recent gains and losses of olfactory receptors as a starting point for studying neural circuit evolution. As most fly olfactory neurons express only a single receptor type, these copy number changes provide an initial 'label' for which species and cell types are good targets for functional studies. We would like to know how these gains/losses relate to the underlying evolution of neural circuits, the evolution of odor tuning, and the evolution of behavior. Currently, we are using the Or67a subfamily as our model system because it is the most duplicated/deleted olfactory receptor among species closely related to D. melanogaster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1634569966429-B7APJGUQGUPZZGN8LFCW/worm_heatmap.png research - Evolution of temperature-related behavior Given the small size of most insects, and the often large temperature differences that exist at their scale, the behaviors that enable efficient body temperature regulation are critical for their survival. The tolerable range for insects varies between species, and this has been a topic that biologists have long studied. While the molecular and neuronal basis for temperature-related behavior is quickly becoming better understood in model systems, which of these molecules and neurons are involved in between-species changes in temperature-related behaviors is largely unknown. We are combining behavioral studies with genomic approaches to identify species that have evolved differences in temperature-related behavior, with the goal of identifying the genes and neurons underlying the changes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1634570417183-IKSWB6BKIWWL07WWM2J3/LN1081_3RGB.png research - Molecular and cellular evolution of sensory organs We are interested in genes and gene expression patterns that underlie the diversification of sensory organs. We are using a combination of bulk tissue RNA-seq and single nucleus RNA-seq to identify instances of species differences in tissue specificity, developmental stage, or sex-biased expression patterns of sensory genes. We additionally aim to understand the functional and regulatory basis of these modifications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1634571667088-A28AC9BW4UP27N1UPH2G/silhouette-5602776.png research - Evolutionary history of the D. takahashii and D. suzukii groups Several of our projects focus on species from these two groups. Aspects of their biology has drawn us to them (temperature-related differences, Or67a copy number differences, ecological diversity), however relatively little evolutionary/population genomics work has been carried out on these species. Open questions include speciation dates for several of our targeted lineages, as well as rates of ongoing gene flow. We have been contributing to the genome assemblies for these species, as well as generating population genomic datasets, to help address these questions. http://arguellolab.org/new-page daily 0.75 2026-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/1739563d-5341-4476-8eb7-7ad92e1af806/advert_fig1_A.png Open Positions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5063c1e784aed7178a6b4adb/17419ab7-9843-4f09-b2e4-ef8574344e6f/advert_fig1_B.png Open Positions - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.