This course on Statistical Physics of Biological Evolution aims to teach students about stochastic models of population dynamics, natural selection, the modern synthesis in evolutionary theory, and experimental evolution. The course covers topics such as Wright-Fisher and Moran models, fixation, diffusion theory, genetic drift, and heterozygosity. The teaching method includes lectures and exercises, making it suitable for Ph.D. students, post-doctoral fellows, and interested faculty members at the college and university level.
Statistical Physics of Biological Evolution by Joachim Krug
International Centre for Theoretical Sciences via YouTube
Overview
Syllabus
Stochastic models of population dynamics: Wright-Fisher and Moran models; fixation; diffusion theory Lecture - 1
Statistical Physics of Biological Evolution
Natural selection
The atoms of heredity
The modern synthesis in evolutionary theory
Experimental evolution
Richard Lenski's long-term evolution experiment
Ability to exploit citrate evolved after 31,500 generations
Clonal interference
Outline of lectures
Wright-Fisher model
An empirical fitness landscape
Evolutionary trajectories on the A. nigher landscape
Ancemipinical fitness landscape A nigher landscape
Suggested reading available on BSSP web page
I. Stochastic models of population genetics: Wright -Fisher model
Model resource competition
Serial dilution experiment
Genetic drift
Heterozygosity
Exercise
Markov chain has absorbing states n=0, n=N
Selection: Fitness WA, WB
Taught by
International Centre for Theoretical Sciences
