Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
15:00
Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
Published on: August 18, 2023
Forty years of in vitro evolution
1Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. gjoyce@scripps.edu
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|July 20, 2007
Summary
Directed evolution of RNA molecules in vitro, pioneered 40 years ago, demonstrates Darwinian evolution as a chemical process. This review covers methods and concepts, advancing towards laboratory generation of life.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Chemistry
Background:
- Forty years ago, Spiegelman's work established in vitro evolution of RNA.
- This breakthrough demonstrated Darwinian evolution as a chemical process.
- Subsequent directed evolution experiments have significantly advanced the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concepts and methods for in vitro directed evolution of RNA.
- To highlight the significance of early RNA evolution studies for modern chemistry.
- To discuss the progress towards the laboratory synthesis of life.
Main Methods:
- In vitro selection and amplification techniques.
- Experimental evolution of nucleic acids.
- Analysis of RNA sequence and function.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of RNA's capacity for Darwinian evolution in a test tube.
- Development of robust methodologies for directed RNA evolution.
- Significant progress in understanding the chemical basis of life's origins.
Conclusions:
- Spiegelman's foundational work continues to influence molecular biology and chemistry.
- Directed evolution of RNA is a powerful tool for both basic research and biotechnology.
- The field is approaching the in vitro creation of self-replicating systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:16In vitro Mutagenesis
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
01:16In-vitro Mutagenesis
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
01:24Evolution 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...
01:22Bioreactor Controls-III
Strain improvement is a foundational strategy in industrial microbiology aimed at maximizing microbial productivity, particularly because natural isolates typically yield commercially valuable products in very low concentrations. Although optimizing the culture medium and environmental conditions can improve yields, these adjustments are inherently limited by the organism’s genetic potential. As a result, the focus shifts toward genetic modifications to enhance biosynthetic capacity. The...
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...