Neuroscience
This week's Science Times was devoted to evolution and covered some interesting aspects, including a long article on Evo-devo.
Wikipedia provides the most concise definition of Evolutionary developmental biology:
"Evolutionary developmental biology ... compares the developmental processes of different animals and plants in an attempt to determine the ancestral relationship between organisms and how developmental processes evolved. Evo-devo addresses the origin and evolution of embryonic development; how modifications of development and developmental processes lead to the production of novel features; the role of developmental plasticity in evolution; [and more].[citing Hall, below]"
The Times elaborates on how different features develop on similar species -- using Darwin's finches as an easily-understandable example. Dr. Cliff Tabin, a developmental biologist at Harvard Medical School, found that bird beaks "expressed a gene known as BMP4 early in development." This enables Darwin's finches, living on the Galápagos Islands, look very different from each other and from other finches -- particularly in the beak. Some, in fact, "... have evolved taller, broader, more powerful nut-cracking beaks; the most impressive of the big-beaked finches is Geospiza magnirostris." (see McGill University's Hendry Lab finch comparison photos to see some stunning differences)
The article goes on to provide examples of evo-devo in fish (cichlids), marsupials & placental mammals, butterflies, and even flowers.
For More Information
* David Corcoran, a Science Times editor, interviews people associated with these stories in the June 26 Science Times podcast(mp3).
* Evo-Devo - Evolutionary Science - From a Few Genes, Life’s Myriad Shapes by Carol Kaesuk Yoon, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Science of the Soul? 'I Think, Therefore I Am' Is Losing Force by Cornelia Dean, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Darwin Still Rules, but Some Biologists Dream of a Paradigm Shift by Douglas Erwin, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Guest Editorial: Evo-devo or devo-evo — does it matter? Hall, Brian K. Evolution & Development, Volume 2 Issue 4 Page 177-178, July-August 2000.
- Evolution For Everyone!
Have you heard about David Sloan Wilson's new book Evolution for everyone : how Darwin's theory can change the way we think about our lives ? I saw him speak at Hampshire back in February, and he was great. Natalie Angier reviewed the book in...
- Religion: Spandrel Or Adaptation?
Have you been following the debate over religion & science? Whether you have or not, if you're interested, you should definitely check out Darwin's God, an article in Sunday's New York Times magazine. Robin Marantz Henig summarizes the debate...
- A Moral Grammar?
Interesting podcast from Australia’s All in the Mind about the evolution of morality. See their description below: “Moral Minds: The Evolution of Human Morality “Incest, infanticide, honour killings - different cultures have different rules of...
- "an Evolving Collection"
The Sept. 1 issue of Library Journal addresses Evolutionary Biology in its Collection Development feature. It includes older books that shouldn't be weeded such as Ronald A. Fisher's The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection and Julian S. Huxley's...
- Psychologist And Philosopher Of Science Susan Oyama To Speak This Thursday, April 19!
Susan Oyama, "Incidence, Essence, and Developmental Systems: Biologos in Action" Time: 4/19/12 - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Location: Juan Ramon Jimenez, Room 0150 Trained at Harvard University and now Professor Emeritus at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice...
Neuroscience
Evolution: the Great Tinkerer
This week's Science Times was devoted to evolution and covered some interesting aspects, including a long article on Evo-devo.
Wikipedia provides the most concise definition of Evolutionary developmental biology:
"Evolutionary developmental biology ... compares the developmental processes of different animals and plants in an attempt to determine the ancestral relationship between organisms and how developmental processes evolved. Evo-devo addresses the origin and evolution of embryonic development; how modifications of development and developmental processes lead to the production of novel features; the role of developmental plasticity in evolution; [and more].[citing Hall, below]"
The Times elaborates on how different features develop on similar species -- using Darwin's finches as an easily-understandable example. Dr. Cliff Tabin, a developmental biologist at Harvard Medical School, found that bird beaks "expressed a gene known as BMP4 early in development." This enables Darwin's finches, living on the Galápagos Islands, look very different from each other and from other finches -- particularly in the beak. Some, in fact, "... have evolved taller, broader, more powerful nut-cracking beaks; the most impressive of the big-beaked finches is Geospiza magnirostris." (see McGill University's Hendry Lab finch comparison photos to see some stunning differences)
The article goes on to provide examples of evo-devo in fish (cichlids), marsupials & placental mammals, butterflies, and even flowers.
For More Information
* David Corcoran, a Science Times editor, interviews people associated with these stories in the June 26 Science Times podcast(mp3).
* Evo-Devo - Evolutionary Science - From a Few Genes, Life’s Myriad Shapes by Carol Kaesuk Yoon, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Science of the Soul? 'I Think, Therefore I Am' Is Losing Force by Cornelia Dean, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Darwin Still Rules, but Some Biologists Dream of a Paradigm Shift by Douglas Erwin, New York Times, June 26, 2007.
* Guest Editorial: Evo-devo or devo-evo — does it matter? Hall, Brian K. Evolution & Development, Volume 2 Issue 4 Page 177-178, July-August 2000.
- Evolution For Everyone!
Have you heard about David Sloan Wilson's new book Evolution for everyone : how Darwin's theory can change the way we think about our lives ? I saw him speak at Hampshire back in February, and he was great. Natalie Angier reviewed the book in...
- Religion: Spandrel Or Adaptation?
Have you been following the debate over religion & science? Whether you have or not, if you're interested, you should definitely check out Darwin's God, an article in Sunday's New York Times magazine. Robin Marantz Henig summarizes the debate...
- A Moral Grammar?
Interesting podcast from Australia’s All in the Mind about the evolution of morality. See their description below: “Moral Minds: The Evolution of Human Morality “Incest, infanticide, honour killings - different cultures have different rules of...
- "an Evolving Collection"
The Sept. 1 issue of Library Journal addresses Evolutionary Biology in its Collection Development feature. It includes older books that shouldn't be weeded such as Ronald A. Fisher's The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection and Julian S. Huxley's...
- Psychologist And Philosopher Of Science Susan Oyama To Speak This Thursday, April 19!
Susan Oyama, "Incidence, Essence, and Developmental Systems: Biologos in Action" Time: 4/19/12 - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Location: Juan Ramon Jimenez, Room 0150 Trained at Harvard University and now Professor Emeritus at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice...