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Principles of Evolution

From the Planck Epoch to Complex Multicellular Life

  • Book
  • © 2011

Overview

Editors:
  1. Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns

    1. , School of Engineering & Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany

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  2. Stefan Thurner

    1. , Inst. für Wissenschaft Komplexer Systeme, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria

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    You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Displays the current view of science of evolution
  • Presents a systematic interdisciplinary analysis of the development of life
  • Discusses the evolution of social organizations
  • Develops an interdisciplinary view of protein-and citation networks
  • Gives examples for self-organized structures in the universe
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Frontiers Collection (FRONTCOLL)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
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  2. Introduction

    • Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns
    Pages 1-41

  3. Principles of Evolution

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 43-43
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    2. Physical Principles of Evolution

      • Peter Schuster
      Pages 45-79

    3. The Interplay of Replication, Variation and Selection in the Dynamics of Evolving Populations

      • Richard A. Blythe
      Pages 81-118

    4. A Simple General Model of Evolutionary Dynamics

      • Stefan Thurner
      Pages 119-144

    5. Can We Recognize an Innovation? Perspective from an Evolving Network Model

      • Sanjay Jain, Sandeep Krishna
      Pages 145-172

  4. From Random to Complex Structures: The Concept of Self-Organization for Galaxies, Asters, and Spindles

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 173-173
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    2. How Stochastic Dynamics Far from Equilibrium Can Create Nonrandom Patterns

      • Gunter M. Schütz
      Pages 175-187

    3. Structure Formation in the Universe

      • Matthias Bartelmann
      Pages 189-204

    4. The Need for Quantum Cosmology

      • Claus Kiefer
      Pages 205-217

    5. Self-Organization in Cells

      • Leif Dehmelt, Philippe Bastiaens
      Pages 219-238

  5. Protocells In Silico and In Vitro

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 239-239
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    2. Approach of Complex-Systems Biology to Reproduction and Evolution

      • Kunihiko Kaneko
      Pages 241-259

    3. Wet Artificial Life: The Construction of Artificial Living Systems

      • Harold Fellermann
      Pages 261-280

    4. Towards a Minimal System for Cell Division

      • Petra Schwille
      Pages 281-293

  6. From Cells to Societies

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 295-295
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    2. Bacterial Games

      • Erwin Frey, Tobias Reichenbach
      Pages 297-329

    3. Darwin and the Evolution of Human Cooperation

      • Karl Sigmund, Christian Hilbe
      Pages 331-347

    4. Similarities Between Biological and Social Networks in Their Structural Organization

      • Byungnam Kahng, Deokjae Lee, Pureun Kim
      Pages 349-365
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Keywords

About this book

With contributions from a team of leading experts, this volume provides a comprehensive survey of recent achievements in our scientific understanding of evolution. The questions it asks concern the beginnings of the universe, the origin of life and the chances of its arising at all, the role of contingency, and the search for universal features in the plethora of evolutionary phenomena. Rather than oversimplified or premature answers, the chapters provide a clear picture of how these essential problems are being tackled, enabling the reader to understand current thinking and open questions. The tools employed stem from a range of disciplines including mathematics, physics, biochemistry and cell biology. Self-organization as an overarching concept is demonstrated in the most diverse areas: from galaxy formation in the universe to spindle and aster formation in the cell. Chemical master equations, population dynamics, and evolutionary game theory are presented as suitable frameworks for understanding the universal mechanisms and organizational principles observed in a wide range of living units, ranging from cells to societies. This book will provide engaging reading and food for thought for all those seeking a deeper understanding of the science of evolution.

Editors and Affiliations

  • , School of Engineering & Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns

  • , Inst. für Wissenschaft Komplexer Systeme, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria

    Stefan Thurner

About the editors

Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns is full professor and head of the statistical physics group at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. Her area of expertise ranges from general relativity and theoretical particle physics to  statistical physics and its applications to complex systems. Stefan Thurner is Professor of Science of Complex Systems at the Medical  University of Vienna and external professor at the Santa Fe institute.  His area of interest extends from theoretical physics and applied  mathematics to complex systems theory and its applications in  life science and economics.

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