Applied Math Seminar | Natalia Komarova, Mathematical methods in evolutionary dynamics

Zoom (For Zoom link please email amug@uwaterloo.ca)

Speaker

Natalia Komarova, Chancellors Professor, University of California at Irvine

Title

Mathematical methods in evolutionary dynamics

Abstract

Evolutionary dynamics permeates life and life-like systems. Mathematical methods can be used to study evolutionary processes, such as selection, mutation, and drift, and to make sense of many phenomena in life sciences. I will present two very general types of evolutionary patterns, loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations, and discuss scenarios of population dynamics  -- including stochastic tunneling and calculating the rate of evolution. Applications to biomedical problems will be discussed, including the role of aspirin in prevention of colorectal cancer.