Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
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...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Historical Context and Role of Riedl's Systems Theory of Evolution.

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution·2026
Same author

Stromal resistance to placental invasion is a derived trait in ruminants.

The Journal of reproduction and development·2026
Same author

Whole-genome duplication shaped cell-type evolution in the vertebrate brain.

Nature·2026
Same author

[Transdisciplinary Expert Statement: care guide for people severely affected by ME/CFS in home-based care].

Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2026
Same author

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the common tenrec, Tenrec ecaudatus (Schreber, 1778), a new model for early placental mammal evolution.

BMC genomics·2026
Same author

Representativeness of the Danish Blood Donor Study relative to the general population: a cross-sectional assessment.

Scientific reports·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Evolution of genetic architecture under directional selection.

Thomas F Hansen1, José M Alvarez-Castro, Ashley J R Carter

  • 1Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway. Thomas.Hansen@bio.uio.no

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|October 5, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Directional selection drives the evolution of gene interactions (epistasis). Depending on epistasis type, this can lead to canalization or decanalization, influencing mutational effects and genetic architectures over time.

More Related Videos

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli
09:01

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Published on: March 16, 2011

Directed Evolution Method in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mutant Library Creation and Screening
10:50

Directed Evolution Method in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mutant Library Creation and Screening

Published on: April 1, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli
09:01

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Published on: March 16, 2011

Directed Evolution Method in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mutant Library Creation and Screening
10:50

Directed Evolution Method in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mutant Library Creation and Screening

Published on: April 1, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Gene interactions, known as epistasis, play a crucial role in evolutionary processes.
  • Directional selection, a key evolutionary force, shapes the genetic makeup of populations.
  • Understanding epistasis under selection is vital for predicting evolutionary trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the multilinear epistatic model under mutation-limited directional selection.
  • To analyze the evolution of epistatic coefficients themselves.
  • To identify stable or quasi-stable nonadditive genetic architectures.

Main Methods:

  • Mathematical modeling of multilinear epistatic interactions.
  • Analysis of evolutionary dynamics under directional selection.
  • Examination of the interplay between epistasis and additive genetic effects.

Main Results:

  • Only directional epistasis influences the initial evolution of mutational effects, leading to either canalization or decanalization.
  • Positive pairwise epistasis tends to weaken, while negative pairwise epistasis strengthens, in the absence of higher-order epistasis.
  • Gene interactions generally tend towards negative changes under directional selection, modified by higher-order epistasis.

Conclusions:

  • Three types of nonadditive quasi-equilibrium architectures can be maintained: nondirectional, canalized, and near-additive.
  • The balance between different orders of epistasis dictates the long-term evolutionary outcome.
  • Directional selection imposes constraints and tendencies on the evolution of complex genetic architectures.