Experimental Evolution

Adaptive Evolution of Viruses

Steve Krone

We employ a combination of mathematical/computational models and experimental evolution to investigate the role of spatial structure in the adaptive evolution of phages (viruses that infect bacteria) in constant and fluctuating environments. The mathematical models involve rather complex stochastic cellular automata (CA) that characterize the spatial dynamics of bacterial growth and phage infection down to the level of individual bacterial cells. These models are validated and calibrated using laboratory experiments; model predictions then help to explain empirical results and suggest new experiments. In addition to directing my own phage laboratory, I collaborate with the phage labs of Drs. Holly Wichman and Celeste Brown. (This work is funded by a grant from NIH.)

Bacterial Biofilms

Larry Forney

Mechanisms that lead to the genesis and maintenance of diversity in communities have intrigued both geneticists and ecologists alike for decades. This is particularly challenging in studies of microbial communities in which ecological and evolutionary processes occur on roughly the same timescale and where the outcome of these processes are affected by the spatial structure in which these communities grow. We study the effects of spatial structure in bacterial biofilms on the emergence and maintenance of genetic diversity.

Bacterial Biodiversity and Biogeography

Larry Forney

Recent advances in genomics and high throughput sequencing make it possible to characterize the extraordinary microbial diversity found on Earth in ways that were never before possible. The data obtained enables us to test hypotheses regarding patterns and processes in microbial communities, and to gauge responses to changing environmental conditions, perturbations, and treatments. Under this broad theme we experimentally evolve populations and study the competitive dynamics and ecological interactions that emerge within populations of a single species.

November 20, 2009


Friday - 12:30pm
TLC 044

John Bunge - Dept. of Statistical Science, Cornell University:  "Population diversity estimation: The state of the art, and the new software CatchAll"