Evolution of Genetic Networks ^___

We have been quite interested in the evolutionary consequences of genetic interactions. There is overwhelming evidence from molecular biology that genetic interactions are prevelent in biological systems. There are two fundamental questions here: (1) What influence do these interactions have on the evolutionary process, and (2) How do the interactions themselves evolve.

One traditional place that gene interactions have a central role is in Sewall Wright's Shifting Balance Theory of Evolution. We have published a number of papers relating to this topic (see Publications). There is broader importance of this general area, however; especially in terms of the recent recognition of the potential role that compensatory mutations might play in evolution.

Another area where gene interactions are important is in the genetics of speciation. Along these lines, we have shown that a particular type of interaction, synthetic deleterious loci (SDL) can potentially achieve very high frequencies in natural popluations, although they probably do not generate much reproductive isolation because of the potential for the most advantageous genotypes to be regenerated via recombination.

I am extremely interested in expanding these two-locus models into a complete genetic network framework, for example as might be generated from microarray data.