Evolution in Action

Exhibit on display in the Rotunda of the Exhibit Museum of Natural History beginning January 2006. The Exhibit Museum is located in the Ruthven Museums Building, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm. For directions and parking suggestions, visit www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum.

Evolutionary science has important applications in public health, conservation biology, and the pursuit of justice. An exhibit in three parts, Evolution in Action shows applications of evolutionary biology in:

• Conservation: How can evolutionary biology help us make conservation decisions? This exhibit explores how evolutionary analysis of genetic variation in endangered Harpy Eagle populations can inform conservation efforts. This part of the exhibit was previously displayed, and will return in January 2006.
• Understanding the Diversity of Life: What is the range of life's diversity and how are the primary groups of organisms related to each other by common descent? This interactive exhibit, currently on display, lets visitors explore the complex branches of the tree of life. An updated version will be on display in January 2006.
• Public Health and Forensics: Viruses such as HIV, SARS, and AIV (avian influenza virus) evolve very quickly, making it difficult to develop treatments. “Evolution as Evidence” explores how scientists track viruses like SARS and AIV around the world and in animals and people. This rapid evolution also allows analyses of virus DNAs that can help solve crimes. One exhibit highlights an alleged murder case in which analysis of HIV evolution was used as evidence. This portion of the exhibit premiers in January 2006.

All three parts of Evolution in Action will be displayed simultaneously for the first time beginning in January 2006. This exhibit would not be possible without generous contributions of time and expertise from Professors David Mindell and Raymond Silverman, as well as many staff and graduate students in the Museum of Zoology and the Museum Studies Program. Thank you!

Funding for Evolution in Action was provided by a grant from the Life Sciences, Values, and Society Program through the Office of the Vice President for Research.