Aviv Bergman
<p>My research agenda addresses quantitative problems in evolutionary and developmental biology by using a combination of computational, mathematical and experimental tools. Starting with biologically relevant models, we comb for data from existing studies, and in close collaboration with experimentalists, we generate new data. In turn, this data allows us to refine the models, thus guiding both experimental and modeling processes. The ability to test models in this way is facilitated by data generated from systematic genomics efforts undertaken in recent years. Central to my approach is an evolutionary perspective in examining the hypotheses arising from the combination of theoretical model and biological data.</p>
<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 15.6pt;">Dr. Bergman combines data from basic and clinical research to create computer models of complex biological systems. As these models evolve, his work could contribute to calculating individualized medical outcomes and guiding treatment for patients based on their personal genetic make-up. Dr. Bergman has teamed with colleagues to study a variety of complex conditions, including aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Central to his approach is an evolutionary perspective in examining the hypotheses arising from the combination of theoretical models and biological data. His studies have focused on the causes and consequences of “robustness” (an organism’s ability to withstand stresses, pressures or changes in its environment), the evolution of gene networks and the genetic hallmarks of human longevity and cancer as it relates to the loss of robustness.</span></p>
<p>Mark L. Siegal, Daniel Promislow and Aviv Bergman, 2005, Functional and evolutionary inference in gene networks: Does topology matter? Genetica, special issue on "The microevolution of development: Patterns, processes, and mechanisms".</p>
<p>Aviv Bergman and Mark L. Siegal, 2003, Evolutionary Capacitance as a General Feature of Complex Gene Networks. Nature 424, 549-552.</p>
<p>Joanna Masel and Aviv Bergman, 2003, The Evolution of the Evolvability Properties of the Yeast Prion [PSI+]. Evolution 57(7) 1498-1512.</p>
<p>Mark L. Siegal and Aviv Bergman, 2002, Waddington's Canalization Revisited: Developmental Stability and Evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA Vol. 99 No. 16 10528-10532.</p>
<p>Samuel Karlin, Luciano Brocchieri, Aviv Bergman, Jan Mrzek and Andrew J. Gentles, 2002, Amino Acid and Charge Runs in Complete Eukaryotic Genomes and Disease Associations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA Vol. 99 No. 1 333-338.</p>
<p>Samuel Karlin, Aviv Bergman and Andrew Gentles, 2001, Annotation of the Drosophila genome. Nature 411, 259-260.</p>