Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.

Gene Duplication and Divergence

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.

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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?

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 Genes

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.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Neuronal microexons modulate arousal via the cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway in zebrafish.

Science advances·2026

Same author

Controlling for life-history traits in vertebrates reveals that effective population size does not affect mutation rate or genome size.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Deep conservation of cis-regulatory elements and chromatin organization in echinoderms uncover ancestral regulatory features of animal genomes.

Nature ecology & evolution·2026

Same author

Role of CEBPa in trophectoderm competence installment.

Science advances·2025

Same author

Phenotypic impact of individual conserved neuronal microexons and their master regulators in zebrafish.

eLife·2025

Same author

The Biodiversity Cell Atlas: mapping the tree of life at cellular resolution.

Nature·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Widespread recurrent evolution of genomic features.

Ignacio Maeso¹, Scott William Roy, Manuel Irimia

¹Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Genome Biology and Evolution

|March 16, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Genomic sequences reveal surprising recurrent evolution of similar traits across diverse species. This review classifies genomic recurrence, exploring its drivers and implications for understanding evolutionary processes.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Published on: April 4, 2016

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

Published on: March 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Published on: April 4, 2016

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

G2-seq: A High Throughput Sequencing-based Technique for Identifying Late Replicating Regions of the Genome

Published on: March 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Genomics
Molecular Biology

Background:

The proliferation of genome sequences highlights frequent recurrence of genomic features across distinct evolutionary lineages.
Understanding these recurrent patterns is crucial for deciphering evolutionary mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and classify diverse types of recurrent genomic evolution in eukaryotes, particularly metazoans.
To propose a framework for understanding the driving forces and contexts of genomic recurrence.
To explore the broader implications of recurrent genomic evolution for evolutionary theory.

Main Methods:

Literature review of published studies on recurrent genomic evolution.
Development of a classification scheme for genomic recurrence based on mutation/selection drivers and environmental/genomic factors.
Analysis of specific examples of recurrent genomic events, such as reductive evolution, splice-leader trans-splicing, exon duplications, and gene family expansions.

Main Results:

Identified and categorized various forms of recurrent genomic evolution, including reductive evolution, splice-leader trans-splicing, tandem exon duplications, and gene family expansions.
Proposed a classification system for genomic recurrence based on evolutionary drivers (mutation vs. selection) and underlying circumstances.
Demonstrated the prevalence of convergent genomic changes across major phylogenetic groups.

Conclusions:

Recurrent genomic evolution is a widespread phenomenon in eukaryotes, offering insights into adaptive processes.
The proposed classification scheme provides a structured approach to studying genomic convergence.
Investigating recurrent genomic evolution illuminates the relationship between genotype, phenotype, and fundamental evolutionary principles.