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Related Concept Videos

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...

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Rare Event Detection Using Error-corrected DNA and RNA Sequencing
10:36

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Published on: August 3, 2018

Evolutionary genomics: codon bias and selection on single genomes.

Matthew W Hahn1, Jason G Mezey, David J Begun

  • 1Center for Population Biology and Section of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. mwhahn@ucdavis.edu

Nature
|January 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Researchers challenge a new method for detecting natural selection in a single genome. Their analysis suggests the method relies on flawed assumptions, rendering its conclusions about adaptive evolution unreliable.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Population genetics

Background:

  • A novel method proposed by Plotkin and colleagues suggests detecting natural selection within a single genome.
  • This approach aims to enhance analytical power by reducing the need for comparative genomic data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the assumptions and conclusions of the single-genome natural selection detection method.
  • To determine the validity of inferences regarding adaptive natural selection based on this method.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of the proposed single-genome selection detection method.
  • Examination of the underlying assumptions and their potential to confound results.

Main Results:

  • The study argues that the method's conclusions are confounded by unstated assumptions.
  • It is demonstrated that even if assumptions were valid, the inferences about adaptive selection are not justified.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed single-genome method for detecting natural selection is critically flawed.
  • Its reliance on questionable assumptions undermines its claims of detecting adaptive evolution without comparative data.