Course Identification

This seminar on genome evolution will bring contemporary research, challenges, and new horizons in the study of genomes and their evolution. Students will read at home and present in class articles in class. 

Course chapters

1. The genetic code and its uniquness
2. Mutation rates and evolutionary dynamics: how often (should) mistakes happen? How mutation rates effect evolutionary rates?
3. Fitness landscapes and how we map them with synthetic biology means
4. Evolution through gene and genome duplications: what can two copies do that one can’t?
5. Selection and drift: can species evolve without selection?
6. Experimental evolution: can we evolve species and genes in the lab? What are the lessons learned?
7. Social biology and evolution of cooperation: how organisms evolve to cooperate?
8. Evolution as learning: what are similarities and differences between evolution and behavioral learning in animals in terms of memory, predictions, anticipations, and gambling?
9. Evolution and language: what are the commonalities and differences?
10. The future of evolution: Beyond Darwinian Evolution? Lamarckism? How will evolution shape our future health, and engineering? 

Students will gain knowledge of contemporary and advanced concepts in the field. They will gain the ability to critically read current literature in the field. They will work on their skills of oral presentation and discussion among peer

to be provided in class