Alan Turing: Pioneer of Mathematical Biology

Alan Turing is well-known for his work on the Enigma code in World War II, and his theoretical work underpinning computer science. But he is less well-known for his pioneering work on one of the great challenges of biology – how do complex living organisms develop from tiny collections of cells?

This lecture will discuss Turing’s ground-breaking work in this area, showing how patterns like a leopard’s spots or a zebra’s stripes can occur in nature.

A lecture by Sarah Hart recorded on 6 June 2023 at David Game College, London

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[archudzik]

Great explanation and examples, thank you!

[manueljoaquincerezodelaroc]

Great presentation, beautifully explained!

[patrickmellor]

I love using these as podcasts whilst gaming or to fall asleep to 😅

[allesmogliche]

I really enjoyed listening to this, a Wonderful lecture, for all Turing fans a must to watch. 😄

[jnielson]

He was so brilliant. This sounds a lot like centre-surround and as though he worked out part of the mechanism for vision processing. It's also wonderful to see a great mind grappling with something prior to DNA being discovered... and it looks like he's was onto something. Also looks like howl-around like the original Doctor Who intro - which again makes sense with the inhibitors/ excitors in an iterative system. So sad how he was treated.

[becmckinlay]

Really, really enjoy Susan Hart's lectures despite my skills firmly established within the arts. Adding a few more florishes of reallys 🎉❤

[MegaSkye]

see: Michael Levins work for modern developments in this field