The road to modularity.
A network of interactions is called modular if it is subdivided into relatively autonomous, internally highly connected components. Modularity has emerged as a rallying point for research in developmental and evolutionary biology (and specifically evo-devo), as well as in molecular systems biology. Here we review the evidence for modularity and models about its origin. Although there is an emerging agreement that organisms have a modular organization, the main open problem is the question of whether modules arise through the action of natural selection or because of biased mutational mechanisms.
Wagner
Günter P
GP
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8106, USA. gunter.wagner@yale.edu
Pavlicev
Mihaela
M
Cheverud
James M
JM
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D015509:Developmental Biology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005580:Fossils; D020440:Gene Duplication; D005796:Genes; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population