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How mimicking evolution can tackle a range of challenges
Prof Lehre
Co-ordinator of the SAGE project, Dr Per Kristian Lehre from the University of Nottingham.
Scientists awarded €2million for new research project on evolution

A new research project aims to improve our understanding of evolution and the ways in which we can mimic it to tackle a range of 21st century challenges.

Scientists from the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield will collaborate with overseas researchers from the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena and IST Austria.

A grant of €2million has been awarded by the European Union for the project, which is titled Speed of adaptation in population genetics and evolutionary computation (SAGE).

The study will bring together two research fields that study evolution – known as population genetics and evolutionary computation.

Evolutionary computation mimics the process of biological evolution – creating artificial evolution to provide solutions to design problems. This is applied in numerous industries, including pharmaceuticals, logistics and the automotive industry.

Some forms of evolution are more efficient than others, however, and when it comes to solving complex, large-scale design problems in a short space of time, this efficiency is crucial.

Both population genetics and evolutionary computation have independently studied the speed of adaptation, using different methods and approaches.

For the new project, researchers will bring the fields together to improve understanding of the speed of adaptation in evolutionary processes, and to develop more efficient forms of artificial evolution.

The project will be co-ordinated by Dr Per Kristian Lehre from the University of Nottingham's School of Computer Science. He said: “We envisage that this theory will deepen our understanding of evolution.

“By bringing together these two research fields, and creating one unified theory, scientists will be able to make long-term predictions about the efficiency of evolution in settings that are highly relevant for both fields and related sciences.”

For further information on SAGE, visit http://www.project-sage.eu   

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.