Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics

The Field Museum’s Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to the genetic analysis and preservation of the world’s biodiversity. Each year this lab collects more than 70,000 DNA sequences, enabling Field Museum scientists to study plants and animals from around the world.

From birds to mushrooms to sharks, scientists investigate questions on a multitude of topics. How diverse are the warblers of Central Africa? How many species of fungi are in that soil sample? Which male sired that shark pup? The methods used to address these questions are remarkably similar across projects. Essentially, scientists compare DNA among individuals, species, genera, or even at higher taxonomic levels. Thanks to the Pritzker Lab, scientists other researchers are solving key questions about relationships among the diverse forms of life on Earth.

Meet the curators of Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics:

	Dr. Shannon Hackett uses DNA research to create a family tree for birds.
	Dr. Kevin Feldheim studies of shark population genetics to help conserve threatened species.

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