The Retrospective View of Molecular Evolution

Explore a thought-provoking lecture on the retrospective perspective of molecular evolution presented by Matteo Smerlak from the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Germany. Delve into the intricacies of how scientists analyze and interpret the evolutionary history of molecules through a backward-looking lens. Gain insights into the methodologies and theoretical frameworks used to reconstruct molecular evolutionary pathways, understand the forces that shape genetic diversity, and uncover the hidden patterns in the molecular fossil record. Discover how this retrospective approach contributes to our understanding of evolutionary processes, genetic drift, and the interplay between selection and chance in shaping the molecular landscape of life.