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DTSTAMP:20261017T181343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200706T135829Z
DTSTART:20200810T153000Z
DTEND:20200810T163000Z
UID:event2348@bu.edu
URL:http://physics.bu.edu/internal/events/show/2348
SUMMARY:Eco-evolutionary dynamics of microbial populations with heterogeneo
	us growth and dispersal
DESCRIPTION:Featuring Ashish Bino George\, Boston University\, Physics Depa
	rtment\n\nPart of the PhD Final Oral Exams.\n\nUnderstanding eco-evolutiona
	ry dynamics in cancer tumors\, species invasions\, and the human microbiome
	 is vital for numerous health and economic applications. However\, spatial 
	structure and population heterogeneity make this challenging. This disserta
	tion tackles these challenges using a population dynamics approach\, wherei
	n systems evolve through individual growth and dispersal.\n\nThe bulk of th
	is dissertation studies expanding populations\, such as growing microbial c
	olonies\, species range expansions\, and cancer tumors. In this context\, I
	 first study the effect of a directional bias in dispersal: I develop a mod
	el for the stochastic growth of left-right or chirally asymmetric cells tha
	t quantitatively reproduces experimental patterns in microbial colonies. Us
	ing the model\, I demonstrate that chiral dispersal provides an evolutionar
	y advantage and affects spatial population structure in expanding populatio
	ns. Second\, I investigate the impact of environmental structure affecting 
	both dispersal and growth on expanding populations. I show that cooperative
	 population expansions in a periodic environment can be pinned to a particu
	lar location or locked to specific velocities determined by the environment
	al periodicity. Third\, I study the problem of a phenotypically heterogeneo
	us population\, with each phenotype differing in growth and dispersal abili
	ties. I determine the exact velocity of an expanding population where pheno
	types move ballistically and explain the connection to the explosive growth
	 transition in experimental microtubule asters.\n\nThe final chapter of the
	 dissertation examines the challenge of assembling microbial communities fo
	r performing functions such as biofuel production\, nitrogen fixation\, or 
	health remediation. Due to the exponential number of possible species combi
	nations\, bioengineers resort to heuristic search strategies to find the op
	timal community. I identify biological properties and develop statistical m
	easures to help bioengineers estimate their chance of success in assembling
	 an optimal community.\n\n----\n\nZoom Meeting ID: 865 3206 0287
LOCATION: \, \, 
STATUS:CONFIRMED
CLASS:PUBLIC
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