The conjunction between the vast applicability of evolutionary genetic concepts and the universal nature of molecular markers allow us, at the Unit of Evolutionary Genetics (UEG), to explore a diversified set of biological questions (click on "projects" for details). Our work in micro-evolutionary molecular genetics incorporates basic research aspects and aims, among others, at better understanding how and to what extent genetic diversity within species is impacted by parameters such as gene flow, environmental changes, human activities, social systems, breeding strategies, etc. This is achieved not only through experimental work (i.e., gathering and analysing new molecular data) but also by developing population models which are then used, in silico, for computer simulation studies. Given the current very high rate of decrease in biodiversity (approximately 30 thousands species go extinct every year), these research programs involve applied aspects as they generate data which could constitute the basis for an efficient and objective management of natural and cultivated populations (see for ex. our projects on the Galapagos reptiles). Our contribution to the field of macro-evolutionary molecular genetics primarily consists into inferring historical information from DNA and protein sequences to uncover evolutionary modes and patterns of morphological, physiological, biogeograpical, ecological, and epidemiological characters in a wide range of taxonomic groups: from HIV to early eukaryotes, from invertebrates to amphibians, from chrysomelid beetles to cetaceans. The UEG is located at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Medecine, Free University of Brussels ("Université Libre e Bruxelles"), in Gosselies.