Our adaptive immune system is able to learn from past experiences to better suit an unforeseen future. This is made possible by a diverse and dynamic repertoire of cells expressing unique antigen receptors on their surface and capable of rapid evolution within an individual. However, naturally occurring immune responses exhibit limits in efficacy, speed and capacity to adapt to novel challenges.
In this talk, I will discuss theoretical frameworks we developed to (1) explore functional impacts of non-equilibrium antigen recognition, and (2) identify conditions under which natural selection acting local in time can find adaptable solutions favorable in the long run. Using these examples, I show that a generalized landscape theory provides a unifying framework for connecting physical mechanisms to evolved functions. To close, I discuss the need for considering viral-immune ecology to better understand their coevolution.