John Maynard Smith Lecture Abstract

Mathematical modelling has always played an important role in elucidating evolutionary
phenomena. Here, I present an overview of various models I've worked on during my career.
First, it has been postulated that sexual reproduction is beneficial by recombining genomes,
thus re-creating optimal genotypes. This hypothesis has faced renewed interest due to the
ability to test hypotheses using next-generation sequence data. I will show how strong
selection for recombination, that can potentially maintain costly sex, appears if acting over
hundreds of sites subject to selection. Major benefits to sex and recombination arise through
disentangling beneficial mutations from deleterious backgrounds. Finally, I will also discuss
my research into disease emergence. Specifically, I investigate how the spread of existing
strains hampers the ability of mutated pathogens to emerge, by limiting the available pool of
susceptible individuals.