Marine Biological Laboratory

Workshop on Molecular Evolution

NOTE: Some of the material on this site is for the 2007 Workshop and will be updated as new information becomes available.

27 July - 8 August 2008, extended topics session 8 August - 15 August 2008

Application Deadline 3 March 2008

Michael P. Cummings, Director

The Workshop on Molecular Evolution has been the finest course in the subject since it was started in 1988. The Workshop consists of a series of lectures, demonstrations and computer laboratories that cover various aspects of molecular evolution. A distinguishing feature of the Workshop is a well-equipped computer laboratory with Apple Macintosh computers and servers for comparative analysis of molecular data. Authors and experts in the use of computer programs and packages such as BEAST, Clustal W and Clustal X, FASTA, GARLI, LAMARC, MAFFT, MrBayes, PAML, PAUP*, and PHYLIP provide demonstrations and consultations. This two-week program is designed for established investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students with prior experience in molecular evolution and comparative genomics. Lectures and computer laboratories total ~90 hours of scheduled instruction. An optional all-computer laboratory of 54+ hours of independent work with guidance and consultation of some faculty and teaching assistants is offered during the third week. Admission is limited and highly competitive, with admissions decisions determined by an international committee. Many participants find the extended topics session to be especially useful.

Topics to be covered include:

• Databases and sequence matching: database searching: protein sequence versus protein structure; homology; mathematical, statistical, and theoretical aspects of sequence database searches
• Phylogenetic analysis: theoretical, mathematical and statistical bases; sampling properties of sequence data; Bayesian analysis; hypothesis testing
• Maximum likelihood theory and practice in phylogenetics and population genetics: coalescent theory; maximum likelihood estimation of population genetic parameters
• Molecular evolution integrated at organism and higher levels: population biology; biogeography; ecology; systematics and conservation
• Molecular evolution and development: gene duplication and divergence; gene family organization; coordinated expression in evolution
• Comparative genomics: genome content; genome structure; genome evolution
• Molecular evolution integrated at lower levels: biochemistry; cell biology; physiology; relationship of genotype to phenotype

Computer equipment is generously provided by Apple.

2008 Fees: $2400 (room and board at no additional charge), plus an additional $850 for the extended topics session.

Application Form.