Mathematical methods can be used to study evolutionary processes associated with carcinogenesis. Selection, mutation, and drift all play a role in cancer dynamics and cancer treatment. I will present two very general types of evolutionary patterns that occur in the context of many cancers: loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations. This will be followed by a discussions of different scenarios of cell population dynamics -- including stochastic tunneling and calculating the rate of cancer evolution. Applications include understanding the role of aspirin in prevention of colorectal cancer.

Short Bio:

Natalia Komarova is an applied mathematician who has made distinguished contributions to the mathematical modeling of cancer, the evolution of language, gun control, pop music, and other complex systems. She is a Chancellor's Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Irvine.