Lisa Klasson

Lisa Klasson serves as Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University's Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, where she leads research in microbial genomics and evolutionary biology. She currently directs the Master's program in Bioinformatics, bridging computational and biological sciences.

Her research focuses on comparative genomics of insect-associated bacterial symbionts, particularly Wolbachia and Coxiella, investigating evolutionary forces shaping host-symbiont interactions. Using whole genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and comparative genomic analyses, she examines genome reduction mechanisms, horizontal gene transfer, and symbiont-induced speciation phenomena. Key interests include Wolbachia's role in cytoplasmic incompatibility, endosymbiont genome stability after host transfers, and evolutionary transitions along the parasitism-mutualism continuum.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in Drosophila-Wolbachia coevolution (73% of works), with significant contributions to understanding mitochondrial introgression (2023), genome expansion exceptions (2019), and reticulate evolution (2024). Her work consistently employs advanced genomic methodologies to dissect symbiotic mechanisms across evolutionary timescales.

Lisa actively contributes to academic leadership as Program Director for the Bioinformatics Master's program, shaping next-generation genomic scientists. Her collaborative research spans international institutions, with frequent co-authorship with Drosophila and symbiosis specialists.

Her laboratory investigates evolutionary impacts of symbionts on host genomes through transcriptomic and genomic approaches, maintaining focus on Wolbachia-Drosophila systems while expanding to Coxiella-tick models. Current projects include analyzing horizontal gene transfer dynamics and symbiont-mediated speciation mechanisms.