title: The rise and fall of deleterious mutation.
abstract: It is well established that selection is less efficient in small populations than in large ones. Here we review the impact of this effect by considering the gradual selective purging of deleterious mutation over time. We outline an approach to explore the dynamics of this process, and highlight its profound implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Balbi
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Feil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000382:microbiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D040961:Genetic Drift; D044404:Genomic Islands / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013997:Time Factors