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Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
Published on: September 20, 2016
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Evolution of microbial markets.
Gijsbert D A Werner1, Joan E Strassmann, Aniek B F Ivens
1Department of Ecological Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Biological market theory, applied to microbes, offers new insights into cooperation. This economic framework predicts microbial strategies like partner discrimination and hoarding for evolutionary success.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial ecology
- Behavioral economics
Background:
- Biological market theory successfully explains cooperation in animals.
- Microbial cooperative behaviors with hosts and other microbes can be viewed economically.
- A market approach is not traditionally applied to microbial interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the biological market framework to microbial systems.
- To assess the utility of economic theory for evolutionary biologists studying microbes.
- To explore how market theory can generate predictions for microbial interactions.
Main Methods:
- Consideration of six economic strategies employed by microbes.
- Application of the biological market framework to microbial interactions.
- Analysis of potential predictions generated by an economic market framework.
Main Results:
- An economic market framework provides a useful tool for studying microbial interactions.
- The framework generates specific predictions regarding partner discrimination, hoarding, and service diversification.
- Spatial structures like flocks and consortia are relevant to microbial market dynamics.
Conclusions:
- There is significant untapped potential in studying microbial evolutionary dynamics.
- Biological market theory can structure research by characterizing microbial strategic investments.
- Economic principles offer a valuable lens for understanding microbial cooperation and evolution.
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