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Introduction to Molecular Evolution (BIOL 3046) Course website: www.biol3046.info What is evolution? Evolution: from Latin evolvere , to unfold broad sense, to change e.g., stellar evolution, cultural evolution,

  1. Introduction to Molecular Evolution (BIOL 3046) Course website: www.biol3046.info What is evolution? Evolution: • from Latin evolvere , “ to unfold ” • broad sense, “ to change ” • e.g., stellar evolution, cultural evolution, personal evolution, etc. Organic evolution: • “ descent with modification [and diversification] ” • Systems [populations] with variation • Development, or ontogeny, of an individual is NOT included • Def: change in the properties of populations of organisms, or groups of organisms, over the course of generations (D. J. Futuyma) 1

  2. MICROEVOLUTION: change in the properties of populations of organisms over the course of generations (modified from D. J. Futuyma) MACROEVOLUTION: the sum of those processes that explain the character-state changes that are characteristic of divergences of species and higher taxonomic ranks (modified from Jeffrey S. Levinton) The scope of evolution: Central principles of all biological sciences: 1. Life processes have an entirely physical and chemical basis. 2. All organisms and their characteristics are the products of evolution. Evolutionary biology: 1. Describing the history of evolution 2. Analyzing the causes and mechanisms of evolution The scope of evolution is vast ⇒ principles and concepts [maths] The focus is on the role of history ⇒ changes in context of time 2

  3. What is molecular evolution? = process + outcome Organism diversity: Population Populations genetics Species Above Molecular biology Genetic diversity Genes Felis Proteins Canis Ursus Genomes Bos Hippopotamus Physeter Balaenoptera Rhinoceros Equus 0.1 molecular evolution molecular phylogenetics evolution of molecules genomics bioinformatics population genetics molecular ecology 3

  4. MOLECUALR PHYLOGENETICS: The principles and practice of inferring evolutionary relationships from molecular data. GENOMICS: The study of the structure and functional properties of genomes and the function of genes within a genomic context. BIOINFORMATICS: The science of applying computer technology and statistical techniques to the management and study of biological information. Genetics and Molecular Biology BIOL 2030 Evolution BIOL 2040 Molecular Evolution BIOL 3046 Ecological Genetics BIOL 3044 Molecular Ecology BIOL 3042 Population (Evolutionary) Genetics NA Genes and Genomes BIOL 4010 Bioinformatics BIOL 4041 4

  5. BIOL 3042.03 Molecular Ecology The analysis of molecular genetic data has revolutionized many areas of ecology and conservation biology. In support of this assertion, consider the following questions: How do you deduce parentage, kinship and mating patterns in wild populations from bits of fin, fur or feathers? Count bears (and other large mammals) with bits of fur? Identify the sex of mammals and the diet of sharks from fecal samples? Deduce population structures and average dispersal rates without tagging organisms? Use scale samples to tell whether the effective population sizes of fishes have changed over the last few decades? Determine the continent and river of origin of Atlantic salmon caught off Greenland? Compare the microbial diversity of deep seas vents and thermal hot spring? Identify the species and even population of origin of food products and consumer goods made from illegally harvested fish and wildlife? Determine where the ancestors of northwest Atlantic fishes spent the last ice age? This course will answer these and many other questions while introducing students to the methods and principles of the rapidly developing field of molecular ecology. Pre requisites: BIOL 2030.03, BIOL 2060.03, STAT 2080.03 Co-requisites: BIOL 3041.03 or BIOL 2040.03 Exclusion: BIOL 4042.03 Instructors: P. Bentzen, D. Ruzzante Term: Winter Bioinformatics: BIOL4041 / BIOC 4010 This class presents both the theoretical basis for, and the application of, computing in molecular biology and evolution. A wide range of topics will be addressed including the estimation of rates and patterns of mutations, sequence database searching, with an emphasis on phylogenetic analysis of genes and genomes. The content of the class may vary from year to year. Genes and Genomes: BIOL4010 / BIOC 4403 This class discusses the organization of genes into genomes. It deals with (i) compartmentalization of genetic material in nuclear and organellar genomes, (ii) the structure, behaviour and origins of components of both nuclear and organellar genomes which are not genes (transposable and other repetitive elements, introns), (iii) genetic and physical methods for mapping genomes, and (iv) the significance of genetic organization and higher order chromosomal structure and function. The methodology and prospects of the genomics will be discussed at some length. 5

  6. For the student of molecular evolution: 1. Focus on understanding the concepts. 2. Realize that the course material is cumulative. 3. Learn the jargon. 4. Work though the problems and questions as the course progresses. 5. Do not expect “ pat ” answers or declarations. 6. Ask questions and use supplementary resources Next time: History Laying the groundwork I: The birth of evolutionary theory Laying the groundwork II: A concise history of the gene Laying the groundwork III: Neo-Darwinism and the evolutionary synthesis 6

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