Uploaded February 2014 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
http://www.fom.nl/veldhoven An introduction to population genetics and evolution for physicists
Important ideas about mutations, genetic drift (survival of the luckiest) and natural selection (survival of the fittest), originally developed in population genetics, will be reviewed in a form suitable for physicists, with the aim of understanding the growth of bacterial or yeast colonies in a laboratory environment. When migrations of one- and two-dimensional populations are considered, results for mutation, selection and genetic drift are closely related to 'voter models' of interest in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, suitably extended to allow for inflation of a thin layer of actively growing pioneers at the frontier of a colony of microorganisms undergoing a radial range expansions on a Petri dish.
About the conference: Physics@FOM Veldhoven is a large congress that provides a topical overview of physics in the Netherlands. It is organised by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and takes place each year in January. Traditionally, young researchers are given the chance to present themselves and their work alongside renowned names from the Dutch and international physics community. The programme covers Light and matter, Atomic, molecular and optical physics, Nanoscience and nanotechnology, Statistical physics and Soft condensed matter, Surfaces and interfaces, Physics of fluids, Subatomic physics, Plasma and fusion physics, and Strongly correlated systems.
http://www.fom.nl/veldhoven An introduction to population genetics and evolution for physicists
Important ideas about mutations, genetic drift (survival of the luckiest) and natural selection (survival of the fittest), originally developed in population genetics, will be reviewed in a form suitable for physicists, with the aim of understanding the growth of bacterial or yeast colonies in a laboratory environment. When migrations of one- and two-dimensional populations are considered, results for mutation, selection and genetic drift are closely related to 'voter models' of interest in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, suitably extended to allow for inflation of a thin layer of actively growing pioneers at the frontier of a colony of microorganisms undergoing a radial range expansions on a Petri dish.
About the conference: Physics@FOM Veldhoven is a large congress that provides a topical overview of physics in the Netherlands. It is organised by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and takes place each year in January. Traditionally, young researchers are given the chance to present themselves and their work alongside renowned names from the Dutch and international physics community. The programme covers Light and matter, Atomic, molecular and optical physics, Nanoscience and nanotechnology, Statistical physics and Soft condensed matter, Surfaces and interfaces, Physics of fluids, Subatomic physics, Plasma and fusion physics, and Strongly correlated systems.
