Explore the fundamental concepts of mutation and genetic drift in this comprehensive lecture by Michael Lynch, part of the "Theoretical and Empirical Approaches to Understand Polygenic Adaptation" program at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences. Delve into the complex interplay between genetic variation and phenotypic traits, examining how these processes contribute to biological evolution. Gain insights into the genetic architecture of polygenic traits, which influence a wide range of characteristics from crop yield and human height to complex diseases. Analyze the ongoing debate in evolutionary biology regarding adaptive dynamics, contrasting the theories of adaptation through large changes at few genetic loci versus infinitesimal changes across numerous loci. Discover how this lecture aims to integrate these seemingly disparate ideas into a unified framework, expanding our understanding of various modes of adaptation and their quantitative description in relation to empirical data. Read more