Biological evolution in microbial colonies

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Biological evolution in microbial colonies

Event details

Biological evolution is not only of theoretical but also of immense practical significance (e.g. the evolution of antibiotic resistance). In the last few years I have been trying to find out how biological evolution depends on physical interactions between organisms and their environment. In this talk I will discuss one such example: the fate (fixation/extinction at the front) of a new mutant bacterium in an expanding microbial colony. I will show some cool experimental images, demonstrate how they can be explained using computer simulations and theory, and list some new predictions which I would like to test experimentally in the future.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.