The research group Marine Evolutionary Biology, led by Prof. Olivia Roth, is an international team dedicated to exploring the evolutionary mechanisms behind novel biological traits. Our primary focus is the evolution of male pregnancy in pipefishes and seahorses (syngnathids), investigating the genetic, immunological, and ecological factors that drive this unique reproductive strategy.  

Our research integrates molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and statistical analyses with laboratory experiments, fieldwork and computational studies. We aim to understand how evolutionary adaptations shape immune function, host-microbe interactions, parental investment and reproductive strategies in vertebrates.