ABOUT THE COURSE:Life on the planet, as we see it today, has been been shaped over ~4 billion years. Theory of evolution by natural selection provides us the framework in which to study this process. In this process, we will (a) develop a conceptual understanding of how chance and selection dictate evolutionary fates; (b) study from the recent research how evolutionary principles are being utilized to not only answer open fundamental questions but also to solve important problems in healthcare and biotechnologyThis course is suited for students in biological sciences who wish to study evolutionary biology. The course is also designed for students in physical sciences and engineering, who wish to take a first course in evolutionary biology. Evolutionary biology is a subject steeped in fundamental concepts, and most of the foundational work in the subject was done by statisticians, mathematicians, and physicistsINTENDED AUDIENCE:Undergraduate and graduate students of Biosciences and Bioengineering. Undergraduates and graduates from Physical Sciences and Engineering who are interested in Evolution.INDUSTRY SUPPORT:Biotechnology Companies.Protein Design and Engineering.
Overview
Syllabus
Week 1:Introduction to theory of natural selection.
Background in biology and mathematics for all students.
Week 2:Studying evolution in prokaryotes. How is it different from studying evolution in eukaryotes.
Week 3:Population growth models
Week 4:Concept of fitness and fitness landscapes
.Week 5:Selection and Drift.
Week 6:Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution. Concept of dN/dS, and its variations.
Week 7:Horizontal Gene Transfer, and its implications in dictating evolution.
Week 8:How to do evolution experiments in laboratory? Three ways: (a) Serial Subculture; (b) Chemostat, and (c) Mutation Accumulation.
Week 9:Lessons from Evolution Experiments: Long Term Evolution Experiment (80,000 evolution experiment with E. coli).
Week 10:Lessons from Evolution Experiments: Multicellular Evolution Experiment (10,000 evolution experiment with yeast (transition from unicellularity to multicellularity)
Week 11:Studying community of microbial populations.
Week 12:Speciation in microbes.
Course summary.
Background in biology and mathematics for all students.
Week 2:Studying evolution in prokaryotes. How is it different from studying evolution in eukaryotes.
Week 3:Population growth models
Week 4:Concept of fitness and fitness landscapes
.Week 5:Selection and Drift.
Week 6:Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution. Concept of dN/dS, and its variations.
Week 7:Horizontal Gene Transfer, and its implications in dictating evolution.
Week 8:How to do evolution experiments in laboratory? Three ways: (a) Serial Subculture; (b) Chemostat, and (c) Mutation Accumulation.
Week 9:Lessons from Evolution Experiments: Long Term Evolution Experiment (80,000 evolution experiment with E. coli).
Week 10:Lessons from Evolution Experiments: Multicellular Evolution Experiment (10,000 evolution experiment with yeast (transition from unicellularity to multicellularity)
Week 11:Studying community of microbial populations.
Week 12:Speciation in microbes.
Course summary.
Taught by
Prof. Supreet Saini
