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The early evolution of cellular life.

¹Dept of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT 06269-3044, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|January 18, 2011

Summary

The study of life's origins now uses data to test hypotheses, moving beyond speculation. Advances in fossils, biochemical pathways, and molecular phylogenies reveal limited early horizontal gene transfer, with fusion events being rare exceptions.

Area of Science:

Origin of Life Studies
Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Phylogenetics

Background:

The study of life's origins has transitioned from speculation to a field with testable hypotheses due to advances in data collection and analysis.
Key areas of progress include fossil records, retrodiction of biochemical pathways, and analysis of molecular phylogenies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in the study of the origin of life.
To discuss the implications of molecular phylogenies and horizontal gene transfer in early evolution.

Main Methods:

Review of fossil records.
Retrodiction of biochemical pathways.
Analysis of molecular phylogenies to detect horizontal gene transfer events.

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Main Results:

Molecular phylogenies indicate a limited number of horizontal gene transfers during early evolution.
Horizontal gene transfer events are infrequent, appearing as exceptions within a coherent evolutionary picture.
The fusion of separate lineages to form new species is identifiable through simultaneous horizontal transfer of multiple genes.

Conclusions:

Recent progress has solidified the origin of life as a field of testable hypotheses.
Early evolution was characterized by limited horizontal gene transfer, with lineage fusion being a rare but detectable event.