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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
06:03
Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
Published on: September 20, 2016
14.6K
Experimental evolution in an era of molecular manipulation
Joao A Ascensao1, Michael M Desai2
1Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Laboratory evolution experiments reveal predictable evolutionary dynamics. New high-throughput methods now link genetic changes to observable traits, advancing our understanding of adaptation and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial evolution
- Viral evolution
Background:
- Laboratory evolution experiments offer insights into evolutionary dynamics and predictability.
- High-throughput sequencing has expanded the scale of these experiments.
- Connecting genetic and phenotypic changes has been a historical limitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methodological advances in laboratory evolution.
- To explore how these advances enable investigation of genotype-phenotype links.
- To discuss applications in predicting and manipulating evolution.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing high-throughput sequencing for large-scale experiments.
- Developing methods to measure and manipulate genotypes and phenotypes.
- Analyzing molecular basis of adaptation.
Main Results:
- Methodological advances are enabling detailed analysis of adaptation.
- New techniques facilitate prediction and manipulation of evolutionary trajectories.
- Opportunities to bridge laboratory and natural evolution are emerging.
Conclusions:
- Recent technical advances are revolutionizing the study of evolution.
- These advances allow for deeper understanding of evolutionary forces and eco-evolutionary interactions.
- The gap between laboratory and natural evolution is narrowing.
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