title: Modeling the evolution of gene regulatory networks for spatial patterning in embryo development.
abstract: A central question in evolutionary biology concerns the transition between discrete numbers of units (e.g. vertebrate digits, arthropod segments). How do particular numbers of units, robust and characteristic for one species, evolve into another number for another species? Intermediate phases with a diversity of forms have long been theorized, but these leave little fossil or genomic data. We use evolutionary computations (EC) of a gene regulatory network (GRN) model to investigate how embryonic development is altered to create new forms. The trajectories are epochal and non-smooth, in accord with both the observed stability of species and the evolvability between forms.
authors: Computer Science and CEWIT, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA; and The Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology & Biochemistry, St.-Petersburg, Russia.
authors: Alexander V
authors: AV
authors: Spirov
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Holloway
keywords: biological evolution; evolution in silico; evolutionry modelling; gene regulatory networks; genetic algorithms