Statistical Physics of Biological Evolution by Joachim Krug

Explore the fundamental concepts of biological evolution through statistical physics in this comprehensive lecture. Delve into stochastic models of population dynamics, focusing on Wright-Fisher and Moran models, fixation, and diffusion theory. Examine natural selection, the modern synthesis in evolutionary theory, and experimental evolution, including Richard Lenski's long-term experiment. Investigate concepts like clonal interference, genetic drift, and fitness landscapes. Learn about the Wright-Fisher model, resource competition, and serial dilution experiments. Analyze heterozygosity, Markov chains with absorbing states, and the role of fitness in selection. Gain insights into the statistical physics approach to understanding evolutionary processes through theoretical frameworks and real-world examples.

Stochastic models of population dynamics: Wright-Fisher and Moran models; fixation; diffusion theory Lecture - 1
Statistical Physics of Biological Evolution
Natural selection
The atoms of heredity
The modern synthesis in evolutionary theory
Experimental evolution
Richard Lenski's long-term evolution experiment
Ability to exploit citrate evolved after 31,500 generations
Clonal interference
Outline of lectures
Wright-Fisher model
An empirical fitness landscape
Evolutionary trajectories on the A. nigher landscape
Ancemipinical fitness landscape A nigher landscape
Suggested reading available on BSSP web page
I. Stochastic models of population genetics: Wright -Fisher model
Model resource competition
Serial dilution experiment
Genetic drift
Heterozygosity
Exercise
Markov chain has absorbing states n=0, n=N
Selection: Fitness WA, WB