Research Interests

Study of the determinants of the evolution of molecular sequences with bioinformatics methods.

Determination of phylogenetic relations through sequence analysis: phylogenetic and functional signals in molecular sequences. Methods for reconstructing phylogenetic trees with molecular sequence data.

Determinants of the evolution of proteins and DNA: mutational biases and selective forces that shape protein and DNA composition. Amino acid usage and distribution in structure and sequence. Determinants of codon usage and gene prediction. Relations of gene and amino acid composition with conditions and levels of expression.

Chaperonomics: the study of the evolution and functionality of chaperones in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms from genomic data.

Genomics and proteomics of Herpesviruses. Gene finding and gene expression in Herpesviruses.

Previous Research

Methods of multiple protein alignment. Gene duplication in eukaryotic and microbial genomes. Principles of protein structure conformation and stability. Origin and phylogenetic relations of eubacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic species and their organelles. Conservation and functionality of the heat-shock chaperonin HSP60, the prokaryotic chaperone protein DnaK (Hsp70) and the replication/repair protein RecA. Principles of protein/DNA interaction: the tryptophan repressor, molecular modeling and analysis of NMR data; Pbx/Hox/DNA interaction model using homology modeling and experimental data. Theoretical models for the long term evolution of social behavior with generalized fitness functions (doctorate in theoretical population genetics); long term evolution of reproductive strategies in social hymenoptera. Statistical testing of juvenile mating from capture data of bearded tits (Panurus biarmicus) Undergraduate experimental studies on the evolution of animal behavior: aggression and dominance in mice societies; fixed action patterns and genetic control in the predatory response of birds of prey.  

Brocchieri Lab

For a more comprehensive overview of Dr. Brocchieri's work, please visit Brocchieri Lab.

Luciano Brocchieri

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. University of Parma, Italy. 1992, Environmental Sciences. Thesis in theoretical population genetics.

B.A. University of Parma, Italy, 1984, Biology (Highest Honors)

Professional Service:

Senior Research Scientist at Stanford University, Department of Mathematics

Post-doctoral Research Associate at Stanford University, Department of Mathematics

Fellowship of the Italian Ministry of Public Education for a PhD program in Environmental Sciences

Community of Science