Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST)

The Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST) is an interdisciplinary research group at the University of Idaho focused on understanding the patterns and processes of evolution that occur over comparatively short periods of time. The hallmarks of IBEST research are the coupling of empirical and theoretical research, and a strong orientation toward rigorous testing of hypotheses. We place a high value on interdisciplinary collaborations that blend the expertise of biologists, biochemists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists to examine the underpinnings of evolutionary biology.

Evolution is the process by which the inherited traits of organisms change through successive generations. This encompasses changes in gene frequencies from one generation to the next in a population, the emergence of novel traits in organisms, and the descent of different species from a common ancestor. Studies of evolution provide insight to the history of life, patterns and the extent of biodiversity in different habitats, the mechanisms that underpin the emergence of disease, and much more. The extensive data sets collected by biologists in contemporary studies of natural and experimentally evolved populations enable mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists to quantify the probabilities of various evolutionary events and develop models that can subsequently be empirically evaluated and refined by biologists. Many of these studies are facilitated by recent advances in technologies for DNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis as well as the increased speed and capacity for data analysis. This allows investigators to explore evolutionary biology in ways that were never before possible.

For over two decades IBEST has been a 'grass roots' organization of faculty and their research programs at the University of Idaho that share an interest in evolutionary biology and computational biology. This organization has grown over time and now includes a spectrum of activities. Research done under the umbrella of IBEST receives funding from various sources including NIH, NSF, other federal agencies and industry.