Faculty of Science Special Seminar

Physics of evolution-development

Paul François

The Rockefeller University

Evolution is the central theory of biology, still it is not clear if it can be used as a physical theory, i.e. in a more predictive way. Recent insights have come from the new field of "evo/devo" (evolution-development) connecting molecular evolution to the dynamics and physics of embryonic development. I will describe a method of evolution "in silico" to generate models of genetic networks performing specific biological functions, and I will illustrate this method on the formation of two types of complex spatio-temporal patterns in vertebrate embryos : somitogenesis (vertebrae definition) and hox genes patterning (definition of the cellular antero-posterior identity). Simple geometric models evolve in the computer, describe well major aspects of embryonic development and lead to experimental predictions. I will also describe how new imaging techniques can be used to study biophysical aspects of embryonic patterning and growth.