Bulletin of the American Physical Society
2006 APS March Meeting
Monday–Friday, March 13–17, 2006; Baltimore, MD
Session R7: The Experimental and Theoretical Foundations of Evolution |
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Sponsoring Units: DBP FEd FPS Chair: Herbert Levine, University of California, San Diego Room: Baltimore Convention Center 307 |
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 2:30PM - 3:06PM |
R7.00001: Evolutionary ecology of \textit{E. coli} metapopulations in patchy landscapes Invited Speaker: Spatial ecology and metapopulation biology are essential features of natural populations. Extinction of local populations, the colonization of new suitable habitat patches (metapopulation dynamics) as well as the creation and destruction of local habitats (patch dynamics) are basic components of the evolutionary process shaping life-history strategies. As Darwin liked to put it ``the zoology of archipelagoes''. The role of spatial structure have been shown to be important for both, persistence and coexistence. However, the spatial ecology of microbial metapopulations have rarely been observed nor exploited technologically. We use nano and micro fabrication technology to build a spatially explicit (dynamic) landscape of habitat patches (the metapopulation chip) and a (UV) laser-based disturbance regime (patch dynamics). By building upon the theory of metapopulations in dynamic landscapes, we build fitness landscapes by linking patch dynamics to fluorescent patterns coming from molecular markers in the cell culture. We use landscape ecology and metapopulation biology to generate selective forces that can be used for evolutionary design of microorganisms. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 3:06PM - 3:42PM |
R7.00002: Life has Evolved to Evolve Invited Speaker: Concomitant with the evolution of biological diversity must have been the evolution of mechanisms that facilitate evolution, due to the essentially infinite complexity of protein sequence space. We describe how evolvability can be an object of Darwinian selection, emphasizing the collective nature of the process. Rapid or dramatic environmental change leads to selection for greater evolvability. The selective pressure for large scale genetic moves, such as DNA exchange, becomes increasingly strong as the environmental conditions become more uncertain. These results demonstrate that evolvability is a selectable trait and allow for the explanation of a large body of experimental results. Many observations within evolutionary biology, heretofore considered evolutionary happenstance or accidents, are explained by selection for evolvability. As specific examaples, we discuss evolution within the immune system and evolution of drug resistant microrganisims. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 3:42PM - 4:18PM |
R7.00003: Can Evolution Be Understood Quantitatively? Invited Speaker: Although the underlying laws and mechanisms of biological evolution have been known for a long time, little is understood about the time scales of evolutionary processes. This talk will focus on quantitative questions about evolutionary dynamics and on the potential for progress on intermediate time-scale issues via combinations of microbial experiments and theory. A recent experiment on one of these will be presented. Some basic questions about long time-scale processes will also be raised, and potential roles of abstract models in sharpening these and advancing understanding addressed briefly. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 4:18PM - 4:54PM |
R7.00004: Genome Evolution in the 21st Century Invited Speaker: Assume no previous theories about genetics and evolution. What conclusions would we draw from molecular data (e.g. genome sequences)? We start from basic principles of cellular information processing: cells behave cognitively using signal transduction networks; signal transduction involves weak noncovalent interactions; allosteric properties of biomolecules; multivalent storage of information in DNA sequences and nucleoprotein complexes; inertness of naked DNA. Genome informatics thus requires formation of nucleoprotein complexes. Complex formation requires generic repeated signals in the DNA; repetition also permits cooperativity to stabilize weak interactions. DNA is a functional structural component of nucleoprotein complexes, not a passive data tape. Specificity in DNA nucleoprotein complex formation involves combining multiple generic signals and/or sequence recognition by small RNAs. Novel combinations of generic signals and coding sequences arise in genomes by iteration and rearrangement. Cells possess natural genetic engineering functions that actively restructure DNA molecules. These internal DNA remodeling functions act cognitively in response to internal and external inputs. They operate non-randomly with respect to (1) the types of new structures produced and (2) the regions of the genome modified. Whole genome sequence data increasingly documents the historical role of natural genetic engineering in evolutionary changes. Basic principles of cellular molecular biology and DNA function lead to a complex interactive systems view of genome organization. This view incorporates different DNA components found in sequenced genomes. Regulated cellular natural genetic engineering functions permit genomes to serve as Read-Write information storage systems, not just Read-Only memories subject to accidental change. These 21st Century conclusions are most compatible with a systems engineering view of the evolutionary process. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 4:54PM - 5:30PM |
R7.00005: TBD Invited Speaker: This abstract was not submitted electronically. [Preview Abstract] |
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