M. Smerlak

General mechanisms for a top-down origin of the predator-prey power law

The paper investigates the top-down mechanisms underlying the predator-prey power law by combining differential equations and agent-based simulations.

Diffusion approximations in population genetics and the rate of Muller's ratchet

The paper derives improved analytical estimates for the mean click time of Muller's ratchet using a modified diffusion equation.

Quasi-species evolution maximizes genotypic reproductive value (not fitness or flatness)

The paper introduces genotypic reproductive value as a framework to predict evolutionary trajectories in quasi-species dynamics, showing it outperforms traditional fitness and flatness measures.

Why are viral genomes so fragile? The bottleneck hypothesis

The paper provides theoretical evidence that viral genome fragility evolves due to population bottlenecks, showing it can increase survival through bottlenecks and attack rates in certain conditions.

Localization of neutral evolution: selection for mutational robustnessand the maximal entropy random walk

The paper shows that clonal interference of neutral variants limits evolvability by restricting access to neutral ridges, and connects evolutionary dynamics to a maximal-entropy random walk.

Effective potential reveals evolutionary trajectories in complex fitness landscapes

This paper introduces a generalized quasispecies theory to predict evolutionary trajectories by identifying metastable states as minima of an effective potential, applicable across mutation rates.

Parameters and determinants of responses to selection in antibody libraries

The paper quantifies how scaffold evolutionary maturation affects antibody library response to selection, finding maturated scaffolds show lower response to arbitrary targets.