Theodosius Dobzhansky famously stated that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution". From the maintenance of cooperation within societies to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, evolution fundamentally shapes the natural world around us. Using mathematical modelling we develop and test evolutionary hypotheses to understand a wide range of biological phenomena. In doing so we bring together ideas from ecology, evolutionary theory and population genetics.

Mathematical approaches

We construct models of inter- and intra-specific interactions to understand the evolutionary forces at work in shaping life on Earth. These models can be deterministic or probabilistic, depending on the question at hand, and may use a variety of frameworks including population genetics, quantitative genetics, game theory and adaptive dynamics. We use algebraic approaches together with analytic approaches from dynamical systems theory and statistical mechanics alongside numerical methods and computer simulation.

Applications

Our group has used mathematics to explain how sexual reproduction can be favoured by evolution, why there are often (but not always) two sexes, how cooperating can be better than cheating, when infectious diseases evolve to be more virulent, and how patterns of genetic variation evolve. We have also derived insight into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying speciation and species diversity, while answering questions such as why evolution has such an inordinate fondness for beetles. In addition to our core theoretical research, we work closely with evolutionary biologists to test our modelling predictions in a diverse range of systems.

Staff working in this area

Dr Ben Ashby
Dr Jason Wolf
Professor Ed Feil
Dr Tim Rogers
Dr Ben Adams