This is a fascinating set of evolution experiments, evolutionary biologist Richard Lenski told The Scientist. Their experiments show how a biological function ...can re-evolve after the deletion of a seemingly critical gene. At Michigan State University, Lenski himself initiated the best-known quarantined experiments with bacteria. Among many objectives, the experimenters hope to observe the invention of new genetic programs.

So far, the team at MSU have not observed this phenomenon. In spite of hype by Lenski and The Scientist, neither have Taylor, Mulley et al. Point mutations in pre-existing regulatory genes re-enabled the pre-existing, complex programs for flagella. And these mutations caused other deleterious effects. For an elaboration on this scepticism, see biochemist Michael Behe's comments. He is, at least, an expert on the bacterial flagellum.

The Big Bang Was the First Moment of Time, by Lee Smolin
Essentialism, by Richard Dawkins: "...Any evolutionist knows that there must have existed individuals who were exactly intermediate."
Evolution is "True", by Roger Highfield: "We also need to abandon the blind adherence to the idea that the mechanisms of evolution are truths that lie beyond discussion."
Infinity, by Max Tegmark
Science Makes Philosophy Obsolete, by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Common Sense, by Robert Provine
Life Evolves Via a Shared Genetic Toolkit, by Seirian Sumner: "...Each new genome brings with it a suite of unique genes."
Fully Random Mutations, by Kevin Kelly: "For instance, it's pretty much accepted that mutation rates increase or decrease as stress on the cells increases or decreases."
Science Is Self-Correcting, by Alex Holcombe
Only Scientists Can Do Science, by Kate Mills
Human Evolutionary Exceptionalism, by Michael McCullough

Other contributors include Alan Guth, Andrei Linde, Frank Tipler, Freeman Dyson, Michael Shermer, Sean Carroll, Daniel C. Dennett, Susan Blackmore, Alan Alda, Steven Pinker, Paul Davies, Dimitar Sasselov, Martin Nowak, Steve Fuller and Jared Diamond. Many more. Someone for everyone.

30 Jan 2015

What'sNEW about HGT |

These data indicate that a defining evolutionary novelty in mammals evolved through the recruitment and loss of ancient genes into an evolutionarily novel tissue, primarily via TE-mediated origination of a new cis-regulatory landscape in endometrial stromal cells.

Thousands of ancient genes simultaneously repurposed and re-regulated by invasive TEs? Such complex, coordinated steps must have relied on powerful genetic programming. It strains credulity to suggest that the programming was suddenly, incrementally composed by darwinian trial-and-error. The programming must have been available already.