Dr John Mulley
Senior Lecturer in Zoology (Molecular Ecology)
Overview
Evo-Devo@Bangor
My main research interest is in the way that genomic changes have influenced animal evolution and development. Current research projects focus on the GC-biased mutation in desert rodents, snake venom evolution, and the mechanisms by which the uterine environment can change gene expression in the embryo.
Additional Contact Information
Location: Room E1, 4th floor Brambell Building
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383492
Personal webpage: www.johnmulley.com
Twitter: @JohnMulley
Qualifications
- DPhil: The Evolution of Vertebrate ParaHox Genes
Oxford University, 2007 - MSc: Biosystematics
Imperial College London, 2003 - BSc: Genetics
University of Liverpool, 2002
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Comparative genomics
I have a long-standing interest in vertebrate genome evolution, especially as it relates to gene and genome duplication, and/or the evolution of novelty. Whole genome duplications look likely to have played a significant role in the evolution of vertebrates, and particularly the development of vertebrate innovations, and gene duplication has been an important factor in the origin and diversification of snake venom.
Postgraduate opportunities in this area relate to the evolution of vertebrate homeobox genes; GC-biased mutation in desert rodents; and snake venom evolution, taking advantage of recent advances in long-read sequencing and techniques for the assembly of chromosome-scale genome assemblies such as Hi-C.
Evolution and Development (Evo-Devo)
Changes to embryonic development can have major effects on adult morphology, and the evolution of developmental processes has been a major driver of animal evolution.
Postgraduate opportunities in this area relate to my current research into vertebrate axial patterning, and particularly how the uterine environment might influence numbers and types of vertebrae in mouse models. These projects would require management of rodent breeding programs; collection of embryos; antibody-based hormones assays, and gene/protein expression studies. There is scope for expansion of this research into studies of human and non-human primate vertebral variation.
Snake venom evolution
The availability of whole genome sequences for multiple snake species is providing unprecedented insight into the processes underlying the origin and diversification of snake venom. Bangor University is one of the few Universities in the UK that maintains a collection of venomous snakes, and this invaluable resource facilitates research into the genetic factors responsible for inter- and intra-species variation in snake venom composition.
Postgraduate opportunities in this area relate to the determination of the gene and genome level mechanisms that drive variation in venom composition within and between species.
Publications
2024
- PublishedA reliance on human habitats is key to the success of an introduced predatory reptile
Major, T., Jeffrey, L., Limia Russel, G., Bracegirdle, R., Gandini, A., Morgan, R., Marshall, B. M., Mulley, J. & Wüster, W., 3 Sept 2024, BioRxiv, 29 p.
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
2023
- PublishedA new chromosome-assigned Mongolian gerbil genome allows characterization of complete centromeres and a fully heterochromatic chromosome
Brekke, T. D., Papadopulos, A. S. T., Julia, E., Fornas, O., Fu, B., Yang, F., de la Fuente, R., Page, J., Baril, T., Hayward, A. & Mulley, J., May 2023, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution. 40, 5, msad115.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIncubation temperature alters stripe formation and head colouration in American alligator hatchlings and is unaffected by estradiol-induced sex reversal
Rogerson, G., Bock, S., Loera, Y., Parrott, B. & Mulley, J., 31 Mar 2023, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 226, 6, jeb245219.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMate today, gone tomorrow: male-on-female cannibalism in Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in North Wales
Major, T., Bracegirdle, R., Gandini, A., Limia Russel, G., Pozzi, A., Morgan, R., Mulley, J. & Wüster, W., 17 Jan 2023, In: Herpetology Notes. 16, p. 51-54 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedShed skin as a source of DNA for genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) in reptiles
Brekke, T. D., Shier, L., Hegarty, M. J. & Mulley, J., Sept 2023, In: Conservation Genetics Resources. 15, 3, p. 117-124 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome of Roselle's flesh fly Sarcophaga (Helicophagella) rosellei (Böttcher, 1912)
Falk, S. & Mulley, J., 31 Jan 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 43, p. 43
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of
Philonthus cognatus (Stephens, 1832) (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), a rove beetle.
Crowley, L. M., Telfer, M., Geiser, M. & Mulley, J., 13 Apr 2023, Wellcome Open research, p. 169, (Wellcome open research).
Research output: Working paper › Preprint - PublishedThe genome sequence of Ashworth’s Rustic, Xestia ashworthii (Doubleday, 1855)
Mulley, J., Lees, D., programme, W. S. I. T. O. L. & Consortium, D. T. O. L., 20 Dec 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 578
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Birch Marble, Apotomis betuletana (Haworth, 1811)
Mulley, J. & Boyes, D., 9 Feb 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, p. 66
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Common Pug, Eupithecia vulgata (Haworth, 1809)
Boyes, D., Mulley, J. F. & Consortium, D. T. O. L., 23 Mar 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research. 8, 129, p. 129 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha (Hufnagel, 1766)
Boyes, D. & Mulley, J., 8 Feb 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 63.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Riband Wave, Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Boyes, D. & Mulley, J., 31 Jan 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 45
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Six-striped Rustic, Xestia sexstrigata (Haworth, 1809)
Boyes, D., Mulley, J., collective, D. T. O. L. B. & programme, W. S. I. T. O. L., 8 Sept 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 399
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Small Emerald, Hemistola chrysoprasaria (Esper, 1795)’
Boyes, D., Mulley, J., collective, D. T. O. L. B. & programme, W. S. I. T. O. L., 12 Oct 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 441
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the Tawny Mining Bee, Andrena fulva (Müller, 1766)
Crowley, L. M., Mulley, J. F., Lab, U. O. O. A. W. W. G. A., collective, D. T. O. L. B., programme, W. S. I. T. O. L., collective, W. S. I. S. O. D. P., collective, T. O. L. C. I. & Consortium, D. T. O. L., 21 Jun 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research. 8, 258
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the bluish flesh fly, Sarcophaga (Robineauella) caerulescens (Zetterstedt, 1838)
Falk, S. & Mulley, J., 12 Jan 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 17
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the lesser worm flesh fly,
Sarcophaga (
Sarcophaga)
subvicina (Baranov, 1937).
Falk, S. & Mulley, J., 8 Feb 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research . 8, 65, p. 65
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the short-fringed mining bee, Andrena dorsata (Kirby, 1802)
Falk, S., Mulley, J. F. & Consortium, D. T. O. L., 30 Aug 2023, In: Wellcome Open Research. 8, 373
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the variegated flesh fly, Sarcophaga variegata (Scopoli, 1763)
Falk, S. & Mulley, J., 2 Jun 2023, Wellcome Open research, p. 234, (Wellcome open research).
Research output: Working paper › Preprint
2022
- PublishedRegulation of posterior Hox genes by sex steroids explains vertebral variation in inbred mouse strains
Mulley, J., Apr 2022, In: Journal of Anatomy. 240, 4, p. 735-745 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review - PublishedThe genome sequence of the hawthorn shieldbug, Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale (Linnaeus, 1758)
Crowley, L. M. & Mulley, J., 5 Jul 2022, Wellcome Open Research , 7, 178, p. 178 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2020
- PublishedHow and why do primate vertebral columns vary? An investigation of intra- and interspecific variation and how it links to locomotor behaviour
Payne, M., Mulley, J. & Winder, I. C., Apr 2020.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review - PublishedRunaway GC evolution in gerbil genomes
Parcana, R., Hargreaves, A. D., Mulley, J. & Holland, P. W. H., 1 Aug 2020, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution. 37, 8, p. 2197-2210 msaa072.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedA high-density genetic map and molecular sex-typing assay for gerbils
Brekke, T., Mulley, J., Steele, K., Denver, M., Thom, A. & Supriya, S., Apr 2019, In: Mammalian Genome. 30, 3-4, p. 63-70 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAre locomotive styles in primates a driving force behind intra- and interspecies variation in the vertebral column?
Payne, M., Winder, I. C. & Mulley, J., 18 Dec 2019.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedGreater Loss of Female Embryos During Human Pregnancy: A Novel Mechanism
Mulley, J. F., Nov 2019, In: BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. 41, 11
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWhen one phenotype is not enough: divergent evolutionary trajectories govern venom variation in a widespread rattlesnake species
Zancolli, G., Calvete, J. J., Cardwell, M. D., Greene, H. W., Hayes, W. K., Hegarty, M. J., Herrmann, H.-W., Holycross, A. T., Lannutti, D. I., Mulley, J. F., Sanz, L., Travis, Z. D., Whorley, J. R., Wuster, C. E. & Wuster, W., 13 Mar 2019, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 286, 1898, p. 20182735
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedInbred or Outbred? Genetic Diversity in Laboratory Rodent Colonies
Brekke, T., Steele, K. & Mulley, J., 1 Feb 2018, In: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. 8, 2, p. 679-686
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedReport of the 2017 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent and Rabbit Welfare Group meeting
Hawkins, P., McBride, A., Paiba, G., Rose, R., Prescott, M. J., Mulley, J., Izzard, S., Ridley, D., Kappel, S., Melotti, L. & Hubrecht, R., Oct 2018, In: Animal Technology and Welfare. 17, 2, p. 75-42
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- PublishedGenome sequence of a diabetes-prone rodent reveals a mutation hotspot around the ParaHox gene cluster
Hargreaves, A. D., Zhou, L., Christensen, J., Marletaz, F., Liu, S., Li, F., Jansen, P. G., Spiga, E., Hansen, M. T., Pedersen, S. V. H., Biswas, S., Seriwaka, K., Fox, B. A., Taylor, W. R., Mulley, J., Zhang, G., Heller, R. S. & Holland, P. W. H., 18 Jul 2017, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: PNAS. 114, 29, p. 7677–7682
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2016
- PublishedThe spotted gar genome illuminates vertebrate evolution and facilitates human-teleost comparisons
Braasch, I., Gehrke, A. R., Smith, J. J., Kawasaki, K., Manousaki, T., Pasquier, J., Amores, A., Desvignes, T., Batzel, P., Catchen, J., Berlin, A. M., Campbell, M. S., Barrell, D., Martin, K. J., Mulley, J. F., Ravi, V., Lee, A. P., Nakamura, T., Chalopin, D., Fan, S., Wcisel, D., Cañestro, C., Sydes, J., Beaudry, F. E., Sun, Y., Hertel, J., Beam, M. J., Fasold, M., Ishiyama, M., Johnson, J., Kehr, S., Lara, M., Letaw, J. H., Litman, G. W., Litman, R. T., Mikami, M., Ota, T., Saha, N. R., Williams, L., Stadler, P. F., Wang, H., Taylor, J. S., Fontenot, Q., Ferrara, A., Searle, S. M., Aken, B., Yandell, M., Schneider, I., Yoder, J. A., Volff, J., Meyer, A., Amemiya, C. T., Venkatesh, B., Holland, P. W., Guiguen, Y., Bobe, J., Shubin, N. H., Di Palma, F., Alföldi, J., Lindblad-Toh, K. & Postlethwait, J. H., 7 Mar 2016, In: Nature Genetics.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedA critique of the toxicoferan hypothesis
Hargreaves, A. D., Tucker, A. S., Mulley, J. F., Gopalakrishnakone, P. (Editor) & Malhotra, M. (Editor), 8 Aug 2015, Evolution of Venomous Animals and Their Toxins: Toxicology. Springer Netherlands, p. 1-15
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter - PublishedAssessing the utility of the Oxford Nanopore MinION for snake venom gland cDNA sequencing
Hargreaves, A. D. & Mulley, J. F., 24 Nov 2015, In: PeerJ. p. e1441
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- PublishedA plea for standardized nomenclature of snake venom toxins
Hargreaves, A. D. & Mulley, J. F., 27 Aug 2014, In: Toxicon. 90, p. 351-353
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedGenomic organisation of the seven ParaHox genes of coelacanths
Mulley, J. F. & Holland, P. W., 1 Sept 2014, In: Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution. 322, 6, p. 352-358
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRestriction and Recruitment—Gene Duplication and the Origin and Evolution of Snake Venom Toxins
Hargreaves, A. D., Swain, M. T., Hegarty, M. J., Logan, D. W. & Mulley, J. F., 30 Jul 2014, In: Genome Biology and Evolution. 6, 8, p. 2088-2095
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTesting the Toxicofera: comparative reptile transcriptomics casts doubt on the single, early evolution of the reptile venom system
Hargreaves, A. D., Swain, M. T., Logan, D. W. & Mulley, J. F., 17 Oct 2014, In: Toxicon. 92, p. 140-156
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTranscriptomic analysis of the lesser spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) pancreas, liver and brain reveals molecular level conservation of vertebrate pancreas function
Mulley, J. F., Hargreaves, A. D., Hegarty, M. J., Heller, R. S. & Swain, M. T., 6 Dec 2014, In: BMC Genomics. 15, 1074
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2010
- PublishedParallel retention of Pdx2 genes in cartilaginous fish and coelcanths.
Mulley, J. F. & Holland, P. W., 12 May 2010, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution. 27, 10, p. 2386-2391
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedComparative genomics of chondrichthyan Hoxa clusters.
Mulley, J. F., Zhong, Y. F. & Holland, P. W., 2 Sept 2009, In: BMC Evolutionary Biology. 9, p. 218
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- PublishedParaHox cluster evolution--hagfish and beyond
Furlong, R. F. & Mulley, J. F., 25 Oct 2008, In: Zoological Science. 25, 10, p. 955-9 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
2006
- PublishedBreakup of a homeobox cluster after genome duplication in teleosts
Mulley, J. F., Chiu, C.-H. & Holland, P. W. H., 5 Jul 2006, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103, 27, p. 10369-72 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2004
- PublishedComparative genomics: small genome, big insights
Mulley, J. & Holland, P., 21 Oct 2004, In: Nature. 431, 7011, p. 916-7 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTrinucleotide microsatellite loci for the peppered moth (Biston betularia)
Daly, D., Waltham, K., Mulley, J., Watts, P., Rosin, A., Kemp, S. & Saccheri, I., Jun 2004, In: Molecular Ecology Notes. 4, 2, p. 179-181
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2023
- Dynamic Anatomy: Evolutionary and Developmental Change through Time
25 Jul 2023 – 27 Jul 2023
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Organiser)
Projects
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01/06/2019 – 30/09/2023 (Finished)
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01/02/2019 – 30/06/2020 (Finished)
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Support for attendance at UFAW conference
01/11/2017 – 31/12/2017 (Finished)
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Support for attendance at UFAW conference
01/11/2017 – 15/03/2018 (Finished)
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Refining husbandry and welfare of desert rodents
01/02/2017 – 30/05/2018 (Finished)
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01/06/2016 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
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Gene duplication & regulation & evolution & development of snake venom
01/04/2011 – 31/08/2012 (Finished)
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The role of Pdx2 in pancreas development and function
01/02/2011 – 31/03/2013 (Finished)
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Resources for the study of shark populations around North-West Wales
01/08/2010 – 31/08/2014 (Finished)