The Wilke Lab uses computational biology. Bioinformatical and statistical methods are employed to analyze biological data sets, in particular whole-genome and high-throughput data sets; The Wilke Lab also develops mathematical models and computer simulations of biological systems. While the lab is purely computational, they frequently collaborate with experimental groups. Current research covers three broad but interconnected areas: 1. biophysical mechanisms of molecular evolution; 2. microbial adaptation and experimental evolution; 3. disease dynamics. A recurring theme in the research is evolution; modern biomedical research is deeply connected to evolutionary biology. For example, evolutionary methods are used to track and study infectious diseases such as in uenza or HIV/AIDS. Many vaccines are developed through experimental evolution. Cancer progression is governed by evolutionary dynamics. Patterns of genome evolution can reveal costs and constraints under which cells operate.