NeoDarwinian Review

Neo-Darwinism, built upon the foundation of Darwin's natural selection and Mendelian genetics, largely envisions evolution as a gradual process. It posits that random mutations accumulate over time, and those conferring a selective advantage lead to changes in phenotype, often through alterations in protein structure and function. This model has been proposed to explain evolutionary phenomena, particularly when considering well-structured, globular proteins where a specific three-dimensional conformation is critical for function—the classic "lock-and-key" paradigm. However, the burgeoning field of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) presents a fascinating challenge to this traditional view, suggesting that a significant portion of the proteome operates under different evolutionary rules, capable of both remarkable mutational tolerance and astonishing long-term conservation. IDPs, unlike their structured counterparts, lack a stable,...

A profound shift is underway in our understanding of the intricate dance between genes, environment, and the elusive nature of human consciousness. The burgeoning field of epigenetics, which explores modifications to DNA that don't change the sequence itself but profoundly alter gene activity, is at the heart of this revolution. A growing body of research, including insightful reviews such as "A review of epigenetics in human consciousness," suggests that epigenetic mechanisms are not only pivotal in shaping our conscious experiences but also pose significant challenges to the long-held tenets of neo-Darwinism. Epigenetics offers a dynamic layer of control over our genetic blueprint, acting as a switchboard that determines which genes are turned on or off in response to a myriad of influences. This regulatory system is deeply implicated in the development and functioning of the human brain, the very seat of consciousness. From the earliest stages ...

“We conclude that the rarity of the LTEE mutant was an artifact of the experimental conditions and not a unique evolutionary event. No new genetic information (novel gene function) evolved.” -Lenski The LTEE: A Landmark in Experimental Evolution Initiated by Richard Lenski in 1988, the LTEE tracks the genetic changes in 12 initially identical populations of E. coli bacteria grown in a minimal glucose medium. It provides a view of adaptation in action. Around generation 31,500 in one population (designated Ara-3). These bacteria develop the ability to metabolize citrate (Cit+), a component of the growth medium they previously couldn't utilize under the aerobic conditions of the experiment. This was initiationally viewed as an neo-Darwinian innovation, a key adaptation allowing the bacteria to tap into a new energy source. Neo-Darwinism (The Modern Synthesis) Neo-Darwinism integrates Darwin's theory of natural selection with Mendelian genetics. Its core te...

Evolutionary biology, since Darwin sketched his first tentative branching diagram, has indeed found utility and conceptual clarity in the metaphor of a tree. The "Tree of Life" offers a visualization of life's history: a single origin, followed by diversification and branching over immense timescales, with shared ancestry represented by the nodes and divergence by the branches. This hierarchical structure captures the process of vertical descent – the inheritance of traits from parent to offspring – which is fundamental to the evolution of multicellular organisms like animals and plants. Early molecular approaches, particularly the analysis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) pioneered by Carl Woese, seemed to solidify this view, revealing the three great domains of life – Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya – rooted in a universal common ancestor. However, the "Tree of One Percent"  highlights a growing tension, particularly potent within the...

The phrase "sins of the fathers," most notably articulated in the biblical Ten Commandments, has resonated through millennia, often interpreted as a declaration of divine justice or inescapable familial curses. Exodus 20:5 states that God “visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me." Its significant epigenetics involves three to four generations of inheritance. While traditionally viewed through theological or purely social lenses, the burgeoning field of epigenetics offers a startlingly resonant biological perspective. It suggests that the experiences, environments, and behaviors—metaphorically, the "sins" or perhaps more neutrally, the significant life events—of one generation can indeed leave tangible, inheritable marks on the biological functioning of their descendants, challenging long-held assumptions within evolutionary biology. The biblical concept, particularly within the c...

Thomas Kuhn's seminal work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, posits that science progresses not just through gradual accumulation of knowledge, but through periodic paradigm shifts – fundamental changes in the conceptual frameworks, accepted theories, and methodologies that define a field. Applying Kuhn's lens to contemporary evolutionary biology offers a powerful framework for understanding the ongoing debates surrounding the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) and its relationship to the long-dominant paradigm of Neo-Darwinism (often termed the Modern Synthesis, MS). Central to this discussion is the burgeoning field of epigenetics, which presents phenomena that act as Kuhnian 'anomalies' for the traditional view, thereby fueling the push towards a potentially new, extended paradigm. For much of the 20th century, Neo-Darwinism served as the bedrock paradigm of evolutionary biology. It elegantly synthesized Darwin's theory of nat...