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What is Population Genetics?

What is Population Genetics?

A population is composed of members of the same species that simultaneously live and interact in the same area. When individuals in a population breed, they pass down their genes to their offspring. Many of these genes are polymorphic, meaning that they occur in multiple variants. Such variations of a gene are referred to as alleles. The collective set of all the alleles within a population is known as the gene pool.

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

Next-generation Sequencing

Next-generation Sequencing

The first human genome sequencing project cost $2.7 billion and was declared complete in 2003, after 15 years of international cooperation and collaboration between several research teams and funding agencies. Today, with the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, the cost and time of sequencing a human genome have dropped over 100 fold.
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features....

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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Predicting the Effectiveness of Population Replacement Strategy Using Mathematical Modeling

Predicting the Effectiveness of Population Replacement Strategy Using Mathematical Modeling

Published on: July 4, 2007

Population genetics: past, present, and future.

Atsuko Okazaki^1,2, Satoru Yamazaki³, Ituro Inoue⁴

¹Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.

|July 20, 2020

Summary

This review highlights Japanese contributions to population genetics and molecular phylogeny. It celebrates Motoo Kimura's foundational 1968 molecular clock research, emphasizing global scientific impact.

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Area of Science:

Population genetics
Molecular phylogeny
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Existing reviews predominantly focus on European and American scientists in population genetics and molecular phylogeny.
Motoo Kimura's seminal 1968 paper on the molecular clock is a landmark in the field.
There is a need to highlight diverse global contributions to these scientific areas.

Purpose of the Study:

To review selected topics in population genetics and molecular phylogeny.
To emphasize the significant contributions of Japanese researchers in these fields.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Motoo Kimura's molecular clock hypothesis.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on Japanese research contributions.
Analysis of key publications in population genetics and molecular phylogeny.
Historical perspective on the development of molecular clock theory.

Main Results:

Identification of key Japanese researchers and their impactful studies.
Demonstration of the breadth and depth of Japanese contributions to evolutionary genetics.
Reiteration of the importance of Kimura's molecular clock theory and its ongoing relevance.

Conclusions:

Japanese scientists have made substantial and often under-recognized contributions to population genetics and molecular phylogeny.
Motoo Kimura's work remains a cornerstone, influencing decades of research in evolutionary biology.
A more inclusive view of scientific history is essential for understanding the global progress of population genetics and molecular phylogeny.