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Evolutionary systems biology: what it is and why it matters
Orkun S Soyer1, Maureen A O'Malley
1Warwick Centre for Synthetic Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. o.s.soyer@exeter.ac.uk
Summary
Evolutionary systems biology (ESB) integrates mathematical, molecular, and cellular evolution to understand genotype-phenotype links. This approach enhances the modern evolutionary synthesis with predictive and explanatory power for biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary systems biology
- Genotype-phenotype relationships
- Integrative biology
Background:
- Evolutionary systems biology (ESB) is an emerging field.
- ESB aims to understand genotype-phenotype relationships across multiple biological levels.
- It combines evolutionary and mechanistic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend knowledge from model organisms to non-model organisms.
- To predict the effects of mutations on biological systems.
- To define evolved network structures and dynamics underlying cellular responses.
Main Methods:
- Combining mathematical, molecular, and cellular approaches to evolution.
- Analyzing characteristic research examples.
- Exploring key research questions.
Main Results:
- ESB offers new insights and methods to the modern evolutionary synthesis.
- ESB enhances the explanatory and predictive capacities of evolutionary studies.
- ESB serves as a research manifesto extending beyond its contributing fields.
Conclusions:
- Integrative efforts in ESB are valuable and worth pursuing.
- ESB provides a framework for understanding complex biological evolution.
- The approach bridges the gap between theoretical and empirical evolutionary biology.
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