Genotype network intersections promote evolutionary innovation

Devin P. Bendixsen, James Collet, Bjørn Østman, Eric J. Hayden · 2019 · PLoS Biology

Summary. This paper investigates how evolutionary innovations emerge by studying genotype networks—the sets of genetic variants producing identical traits. Using high-throughput sequencing of catalytic RNA molecules, researchers found that innovations occur where two different genotype networks overlap. Multiple genetic sequences can perform both functions at these intersections. Neutral evolution periods allow populations to explore genotype networks more broadly, accelerating adaptation to new functions. The findings suggest natural evolutionary innovations may arise through overlapping genetic networks.

Read the original

Cite this article

Bendixsen, D. P., Collet, J., Østman, B., & Hayden, E. J.. (2019). Genotype network intersections promote evolutionary innovation. PLoS Biology. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300

@article{bendixsen-2019-genotype-network-intersections-promote-evolutionary,
  title   = {Genotype network intersections promote evolutionary innovation},
  author  = {Devin P. Bendixsen and James Collet and Bjørn Østman and Eric J. Hayden},
  journal = {PLoS Biology},
  year    = {2019},
  doi     = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Genotype network intersections promote evolutionary innovation
AU  - Devin P. Bendixsen
AU  - James Collet
AU  - Bjørn Østman
AU  - Eric J. Hayden
JO  - PLoS Biology
PY  - 2019
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300
ER  -

Details

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000300
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: innovation-theory, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28