Evolutionary Biology of Human Disease

MSCBIO 2074-1210

Monday 2-4 pm, Friday 10-11 am

Location BST3 3073

Evolution is a fundamental unifying principle of biology. This class takes a broad approach to illustrate how an evolutionary perspective augments medical research and practice. Topics covered range from the evolution of human populations, to antibiotic resistance, and include medical conditions as diverse as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer or aging.

Course Outline:

Part 1: History and Variation of Human Genes (Dennis Kostka, PhD)

Part 2: Natural Selection of Human Traits (Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis, PhD)

Part 3: Pathogens: Resistance, Variation, Virulence, and Emergence (Erik Wright, PhD)

Part 4: Non-Infectious and Degenerative Disease (Vaughn Cooper, PhD)

Part 5: Comparative Medicine (Matt Nicotra, PhD)

Course Director: Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis

Lecturers: Vaughn Cooper, Erik Wright, Dennis Kostka, and Matt Nicotra