Evolutionary medicine
Evolutionary medicine is a field of study developing on the interface between evolutionary theory, medicine and public health.
We use concepts from evolutionary and developmental biology to inform and interpret experimental and clinical research performed by the Liggins Institute and its international collaborators. A particular focus of our research is the role of developmental plasticity in shaping adult human health.
Members of our team have written the first comprehensive textbook on evolutionary medicine: Principles of Evolutionary Medicine (OUP, first edition 2009, extensively revised and updated 2nd edition 2016). It explains the principles of evolutionary biology from a medical perspective and focuses on how medicine and public health might utilise evolutionary thinking.
For recent publications, projects and events, click the investigators’ profiles.