Raymond E. Goldstein
Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Raymond E. Goldstein (right) with Christof Aegerter
Date
25 November 2015
Host
Christof Aegerter
Title
Physics of Biological Complexity
Abstract
A fundamental issue in evolutionary biology is the nature of transitions from unicellular organisms to multicellular ones. What is the advantage of being larger? What are the driving forces behind the appearance of distinct cell types? I will describe a physical approach to these questions based on the use of a lineage of green algae which serves as a model for understanding the first steps in the evolution of multicellularity.