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SUMMARY:Plenary Lecture 6: Ecology and the evolution of multicellularity -
  Tarnita\, C (Princeton University)
DTSTART:20141030T143500Z
DTEND:20141030T151000Z
UID:TALK55805@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Mustapha Amrani
DESCRIPTION:Co-authors: Alex Washburne (Princeton University)\, Simon Levi
 n (Princeton University)\, Allyson Sgro (Princeton University)\, Martin No
 wak (Harvard University)\, Cliff Taubes (Harvard University) \n\nThe evolu
 tionary trajectory of life on earth is one of increasing size and complexi
 ty. Yet the standard equations of evolutionary dynamics describe mutation 
 and selection among similar organisms that compete on the same level of or
 ganization. I will try to outline a mathematical theory that might help to
  explore how evolution can be constructive. I will distinguish and compare
  two fundamental operations -- staying together (individuals form larger u
 nits by not separating after reproduction) and coming together (individual
 s form aggregates). Both operations have been identified in the context of
  multicellularity\, but they can be found at every level of biological con
 struction. Although staying together is considered to be the primary mecha
 nism for the evolution of complex multicellularity\, I will argue that it 
 is the comparison between coming together and staying together in the righ
 t ecological contexts that sheds most light on the evolution of mul ticell
 ularity.\n
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute
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