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Evolutionary rescue: linking theory for conservation and medicine
Helen K Alexander1, Guillaume Martin2, Oliver Y Martin1
1Institute for Integrative Biology, D-USYS, ETH Zürich Zürich, Switzerland.
Evolutionary Applications
|January 6, 2015
Summary
Evolutionary rescue can save populations from extinction or lead to drug resistance. Integrating conservation biology and medicine research, particularly theoretical models, can accelerate progress on these critical survival questions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Conservation biology
- Medical microbiology
Background:
- Environmental changes drive population extinction or evolutionary rescue.
- Drug resistance in pathogens poses a significant threat in medicine.
- Conservation biology and medicine research communities are largely separate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the shared evolutionary question between conservation biology and medicine.
- To advocate for integrating theoretical understanding from both fields.
- To identify areas for cross-disciplinary exchange and empirical testing.
Main Methods:
- Overview and linkage of mathematical modeling approaches.
- Identification of common theoretical concepts.
- Discussion of empirical testing and prediction strategies.
Main Results:
- Mathematical modeling provides a common theoretical framework.
- Integration can yield novel insights and accelerate applied problem-solving.
- Cross-disciplinary dialogue can inform empirical research.
Conclusions:
- Closer integration of conservation biology and medicine, especially theoretical modeling, is beneficial.
- Shared evolutionary principles can be leveraged for mutual advancement.
- Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial for addressing extinction and drug resistance challenges.
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