Statististical methods in molecular evolution. (Q558759)

In the field of molecular evolution, inferences about past evolutionary events are made using molecular data from currently living species. With the availability of genomic data from multiple related species, molecular evolution has become one of the most active and fastest growing fields of study in genomics and bioinformatics. Most studies in molecular evolution rely heavily on statistical procedures based on stochastic process modelling and advanced computational methods including high-dimensional numerical optimization and Markov Chain Monte Carlo. This book provides an overview of the statistical theory and methods used in studies of molecular evolution. It includes an introductory section (Part I) suitable for readers that are new to the field dealing with: Markov Models in Molecular Evolution, Applications of the Likelihood Function, Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods in Molecular Evolution, Population Genetics. The second section contains practical methods for data analysis: Maximum Likelihood Methods for detecting adaptive protein evolution, Hypothesis Testing, Bayesian Analysis, Estimation of Divergence Times from Molecular Sequence Data. The more specialized sections discuss specific models and address statistical issues relating to estimation and model choice: Models of Molecular Evolution (Part III) and Inferences on Molecular Evolution (Part IV). The chapters are written by the leaders in the field and will take the reader from basic introductory material to the state-of-the-art statistical methods. This book is suitable for statisticians seeking to learn more about applications in molecular evolution and molecular evolutionary biologists with an interest in learning more about the theory behind the statistical methods applied in the field. The chapters of the book assume no advanced mathematical skills beyond basic calculus, although familiarity with basic probability theory will help the reader. Most relevant statistical concepts are introduced in the book in the context of their application in molecular evolution, and the book should be accessible for most biology graduate students with an interest in quantitative methods and theory.