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Related Concept Videos

Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
12:02

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

Published on: May 29, 2008

Rethinking the (im)possible in evolution.

James A Shapiro1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Gordon Center for Integrative Science W123B, Chicago, IL 60637, United States. jsha@uchicago.edu

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
|September 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study challenges common assumptions about genomic evolution, proposing that the genome is a dynamic, read-write organelle, not just read-only memory. It highlights how cells actively modify DNA for adaptive needs.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
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Published on: May 29, 2008

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Critically examines foundational assumptions in evolutionary theory.
  • Addresses widespread, yet empirically unsupported, beliefs about genomic evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present counterfactuals to seven key assumptions about genomic evolution.
  • To propose a paradigm shift in understanding genome function.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical analysis of evolutionary theory.
  • Empirical counterfactuals presented for each assumption.

Main Results:

  • Debunks seven prevalent misconceptions regarding heredity, mutation, and genetic change.
  • Challenges the view of the genome as static read-only memory (ROM).

Conclusions:

  • Advocates for conceptualizing the genome as a dynamic read-write (RW) organelle.
  • Emphasizes the cell's active role in modifying DNA for adaptive purposes across various timescales.