300349 VO+SE Darwin would be surprised: Some results of molecular evolution appear absurd (2013W)

During the first three lectures (Oct.7th - 21st) a short historical introduction and the molecular mechanisms of evolution will be presented (basic knowledge of molecular biology taken for granted). New experimental data will be described to show that the pass of evolution cannot be explained by an intelligent design but by effects of random physical and chemical processes. Variations in genomes arise by all kinds of mutations, the organisms carrying the different genomes become the targets of selection. Remarkably, some seemingly absurd parts of genomes are not removed. Examples will be presented.
During the second and/or third lecture several new publications will be introduced. Students in teams of two will choose one of the publications which they would like to work on and then present in a kind of Journal Club. Own proposals by students for presentations will be highly appreciated. Seminars (on 11th and/or 18th as well as 25th November) with discussions by all participants will be the responsibility of Victoria. Time remaining after the student presentations will be used to describe further interesting facts about evolution.