The Geometry of Multicellular Life - October 23, 2024

Explore fundamental insights into multicellular life architecture through this 49-minute Presidential Lecture that examines experimental and theoretical breakthroughs in evolutionary biology. Delve into fascinating topics including the shape-shifting abilities of choanoflagellates (animal kingdom's closest living relatives), patterns in cellular neighborhood volume distributions across yeast and algae species, and the mechanisms behind embryonic inversion and extracellular matrix curling in green algae. Learn how cells create external structures with precision and reliability, gaining deeper understanding of the geometric principles governing multicellular organisms and their evolution. Through detailed analysis of model organisms, discover key insights into the transition from single-cell to multicellular life forms and the architectural principles that shape living systems.