A relay race on the evolutionary adaptation spectrum.
Adaptation is the process in which organisms improve their fitness by changing their phenotype using genetic or non-genetic mechanisms. The adaptation toolbox consists of varied molecular and genetic means that we posit span an almost continuous "adaptation spectrum." Different adaptations are characterized by the time needed for organisms to attain them and by their duration. We suggest that organisms often adapt by progressing the adaptation spectrum, starting with rapidly attained physiological and epigenetic adaptations and culminating with slower long-lasting genetic ones. A tantalizing possibility is that earlier adaptations facilitate realization of later ones.
Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Physics of Living Systems, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Avihu H
AH
Yona
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Idan
I
Frumkin
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. Electronic address: pilpel@weizmann.ac.il.
Yitzhak
Y
Pilpel
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology