Dominic Wright

Dominic Wright is a Professor in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linköping University, Sweden. He leads research in the AVIAN – Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, focusing on the genetic and genomic underpinnings of animal behavior, particularly in the context of domestication and feralization. His work integrates advanced genetic mapping techniques with behavioral analysis across species.

His research interests center on evolutionary genetics, especially how domestication has shaped animal behavior, physiology, and morphology. Using Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and expression QTL (eQTL) mapping in intercross lines between domesticated chickens and their wild ancestors, he investigates traits such as anxiety, sociality, brain size, comb size, and coloration. His lab has demonstrated that genes influencing anxiety in chickens are evolutionarily conserved and may also play roles in human psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Research on feral chickens in Hawaii has revealed distinct genomic responses during feralization, offering insights into the 'reverse' of domestication. Additionally, his team has challenged long-standing assumptions about brain-to-body scaling by showing that brain and body size can be genetically decoupled in domesticated chickens.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in behavioral genomics, particularly in vocalization, tameness, and social networks in poultry. These studies employ sophisticated genetic models and cross-species validation, including work in mice and fruit flies, underscoring the broad applicability of the domestication model. His research often bridges molecular genetics with organismal behavior, contributing to both fundamental evolutionary theory and translational applications in medicine and agriculture.

Scientific Awards:
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Dominic Wright advises students and researchers within the AVIAN group and has secured funding through national and international collaborations, including SciLifeLab Linköping. His lab operates at the intersection of genomics, behavior, and evolution, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for gene expression and phenotypic analysis. While specific grant details are not listed, his sustained research output and leadership in high-profile studies indicate active grant support. He collaborates with researchers such as Per Jensen, Eben Gering, and others across institutions.

He leads the Wright Lab (wrightlab.se), which is embedded within the AVIAN research group at Linköping University. The lab focuses on experimental evolution, behavioral assays, and genomic analysis using chicken models. The team employs advanced intercross lines, epigenetic profiling, and cross-species genetic validation to explore conserved behavioral mechanisms. Their work is supported by in-house facilities capable of full transcriptomic analysis, including brain region-specific gene expression.