title: The origin and evolution of model organisms.
abstract: The phylogeny and timescale of life are becoming better understood as the analysis of genomic data from model organisms continues to grow. As a result, discoveries are being made about the early history of life and the origin and development of complex multicellular life. This emerging comparative framework and the emphasis on historical patterns is helping to bridge barriers among organism-based research communities.
authors.affiliation: NASA Astrobiology Institute and Department of Biology, 208 Mueller Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. sbh1@psu.edu
authors.forename: S Blair
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Hedges
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea / Q000235:genetics; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002910:Chronology as Topic; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics