title: Constraint and opportunity in genome innovation.
abstract: The development of rigorous molecular taxonomy pioneered by Carl Woese has freed evolution science to explore numerous cellular activities that lead to genome change in evolution. These activities include symbiogenesis, inter- and intracellular horizontal DNA transfer, incorporation of DNA from infectious agents, and natural genetic engineering, especially the activity of mobile elements. This article reviews documented examples of all these processes and proposes experiments to extend our understanding of cell-mediated genome change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; University of Chicago; Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D010802:Phylogeny; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004247:DNA
keywords: evolution; horizontal DNA transfer; mobile genetic elements; natural genetic engineering; viruses