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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
06:45
Monitoring Intraspecies Competition in a Bacterial Cell Population by Cocultivation of Fluorescently Labelled Strains
Published on: January 18, 2014
Cooperation and conflict in the evolution of multicellularity
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. michod@u.arizona.edu
Heredity
|April 12, 2001
Summary
Genetic modifiers evolve to mediate conflict, enhancing cooperation within multicellular organisms. This process is crucial for establishing individuality and ensuring the organism
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Theoretical Biology
Background:
- Multicellularity likely arose from cell groups formed by proliferation or aggregation.
- Cooperation among cells can be altruistic or synergistic, presenting challenges for group cohesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate conflict mediation through the evolution of genetic modifiers.
- To understand how these modifiers create higher-level units of selection with enhanced cooperation.
- To explore the conditions necessary for the emergence of individuality in multicellular organisms.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of genetic modifiers influencing cell group formation and development.
- Analysis of how modifiers alter fitness variation and selection opportunities at different levels.
Main Results:
- Conflict modifiers can lead to the evolution of new, higher-level units of selection.
- These modifiers sculpt fitness variation, creating new functions at the organism level.
- The evolution of conflict mediation is essential for overcoming within-organism variation and conflict.
Conclusions:
- Conflict mediation through genetic modifiers is a prerequisite for organism individuality.
- Adaptations that regulate internal conflict are necessary for the continued well-being and evolution of organisms.
- Reduced internal conflict promotes greater individuality and harmony within multicellular organisms.
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