Thirteenth Sir Nevill Mott Lecture

Physics and the Evolution of Biological Complexity

Professor Raymond E Goldstein
Department of Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge

Wednesday 12 March 2008, 16.00, W0.01

Hosted by Department of Physics, Loughborough University

One of the most challenging and interesting problems in evolutionary biology is the emergence of multicellular organisms from unicellular individuals. The accompanying differentiation and specialization implies both costs and benefits. Not surprisingly for microscopic life in water, many of the issues surrounding these transitions involve the physics of diffusion and mixing. In this talk Professor Goldstein will discuss recent experimental and theoretical approaches to the quantitative understanding of this fascinating problem, using techniques from physics, cell biology, fluid mechanics and applied mathematics to help answer the basic question: What is the advantage of increasing size?

Slides of the presentation (92.7 MB!)

The Sir Nevill Mott lecture series at Loughborough was inaugurated by Sir Nevill Mott in 1995. Previous lectures

For further information contact

Dr Binoy Sobnack
(01509) 223307
Department of Physics
Loughborough University
Loughborough, Leics LE11 3TU