2013.6.14 Peace and War in MIcrobial Communities

Time：2:00pm, Jun. 14, 2013

Address：Rm. 101, Old Chemistry Building, east Wing, 1^rd floor, CQB

Abstract：

Cooperation – providing a benefit available to others at a cost to one's self – is common in ecosystems and has driven the evolution of biological complexity.  However, Darwinian selection favors "cheaters" that maximize their short-term fitness by consuming benefits without paying a cost.  What could stabilize cooperation against cheating?  One solution is for cooperators to evolve recognition mechanisms to discriminate a cooperating from a cheating partner.  But what mechanisms could have stabilized cooperation against cheating before the evolution of recognition mechanisms?  Using mathematical models and engineered biological systems, we have uncovered two mechanisms through which cooperators keep cheaters at bay: adaptation to stresses and spatial self-organization, neither requiring recognition mechanisms.   

Host：Professor Chao Tang