Fall 2002

Tuesdays 12:15  Goldwater 604

(Supported in part by the Systems Science and Engineering Research Center)

Seminar Schedule:<http://math.la.asu.edu/~tom/cognition/math+cogsched.html>

The Mathematics and Cognition will
present our next lecture on Tuesday, November 12, at 12:15 PM in GWC 604.
Our speaker will be Root Gorelick of the Department of Biology,
who will speak on the topic:

"Defining, envisioning, and estimating epigenetic components of heritability"

Abstract.

Evolution is almost invariably defined as a change in allele frequency, thereby sorely neglecting that epigenetics provides a mode for evolution without any change in allele frequency. Heritable portions of chromosomes are not only found in DNA, but also in chromosomal proteins and methylation. In this talk, I will elucidate the mechanisms by which heritable epigenetic signals can be defined, envisioned, and estimated, and briefly highlight the potential macro-evolutionary consequences. I extend the tools of classical population genetics, including quantitative genetics, by developing a new field of population epigenetics, thus helping bridge the philosophical schism between those doing genomics and critics of reductionism.