Saturday, September 27, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Biology

A new perspective on evolution

April 30, 2024
in Biology
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
A new perspective on evolution
67
SHARES
610
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

The genes of an organism play an important role in the development of characteristic traits. However, even the traits of genetically identical clones that grow up under the same environmental conditions may differ, for example their body size. Biologist Lutz Becks and his team from the University of Konstanz will investigate how these non-heritable differences affect the number of offspring of an individual and what role the interaction with other organisms plays in this context. The project “Deciphering individual variation to understand the convergence of ecological and evolutionary timescales” is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation’s Momentum initiative with 926,200 euros.

The genes of an organism play an important role in the development of characteristic traits. However, even the traits of genetically identical clones that grow up under the same environmental conditions may differ, for example their body size. Biologist Lutz Becks and his team from the University of Konstanz will investigate how these non-heritable differences affect the number of offspring of an individual and what role the interaction with other organisms plays in this context. The project “Deciphering individual variation to understand the convergence of ecological and evolutionary timescales” is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation’s Momentum initiative with 926,200 euros.

Genes and the environment cannot explain everything
Just as in humans, in other animals, plants or microorganisms, too, members of the same species differ in their traits. These differences are a key driver of evolutionary change through their effect on the individual’s fitness and allow a species to respond to environmental changes in its habitat. On the one hand, trait variation is the result of genetic differences between individuals – and in this case is heritable. The environment in combination with genetic information, on the other hand, contributes to the trait expression.

“However, some trait variations cannot be explained by genetics or the environment. Even genetically indistinguishable organisms, i.e. clones, that grow up under identical environmental conditions, can show different traits”, explains Becks. Although this intragenotypic variation has been known for some time, it still is fascinating because it contradicts our understanding of evolutionary processes and the fundamental assumption that there is a predictable relationship between the heritable traits of organisms and their biological fitness.

No isolated life
As part of the Momentum project, Becks and his team plan to investigate the phenomenon of “intragenotypic variation” in the context of species interaction as a new aspect. “As a rule, organisms do not live in isolation from other living beings, neither of their own species nor of others. Much of what we observe in nature is the result of interactions between organisms and the effects this has on their fitness”, says Becks.

This fitness ultimately depends on the traits of the two interacting individuals. And this is where intragenotypic variation comes in: In order to predict biological fitness, the intragenotypic variation of both interacting partners has to be taken into account. The goal of the project is to find out how the interaction with other individuals affects the biological fitness of genetically identical organisms with different traits, so that existing theories in evolutionary biology and ecology can be reconsidered in the light of the project’s findings.

Expanding the repertoire of methods
The Konstanz researchers will work with organisms whose trait variations and reproductive success can be easily determined in the laboratory: unicellular microorganisms such as algae or ciliates. In experiments, they will study the biological fitness of these organisms in predator-prey interactions or interactions between competitors for the same resource. “When describing trait variation, we don’t want to limit ourselves to obvious trait differences, such as the size of the organisms, but also look at the results of cell biological processes such as transcription and cell cycle variations”, explains Becks.

With the help of the funding from the Volkswagen Foundation, the modern methods required for this research will be established in Konstanz and applied to the unicellular model organisms. “We assume that intragenotypic variation in combination with species interaction is a previously underestimated component that has far-reaching impacts on the biological fitness of organisms and thus on the dynamics of populations and communities of species. Understanding these relationships better is therefore essential for evolutionary research and ecology, and might help, for example, to better understand the existing discrepancy between laboratory studies and those conducted in the field.

About the Momentum initiative
The Volkswagen Foundation’s Momentum initiative supports recently tenured professors in advancing the content and strategic development of their professorship. After successful evaluation of the initial four-year funding phase, funding may be provided for a further two years.

 

Key facts:

  • Lutz Becks receives funding of 926,200 euros as part of the Volkswagen Foundation’s Momentum initiative
  • Project title: “Deciphering individual variation to understand the convergence of ecological and evolutionary timescales”
  • Project goals: Studying what impacts non-heritable traits and the interaction between organisms have on the organisms’ biological fitness
  • Professor Lutz Becks is a professor of aquatic ecology and evolution in the Department of Biology at the University of Konstanz

 

 

Note to editors:

A photo is available for download here:

Link:

Caption: Professor Lutz Becks

Image: © University of Konstanz



Share27Tweet17
Previous Post

Genetic test for early detection of high cardiovascular risk

Next Post

Czech Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry opens branch in Boston, USA, prepares to make progress in cancer research

Related Posts

blank
Biology

Nicotine During Pregnancy Alters Colon Notch Genes

September 27, 2025
blank
Biology

Whey-Boosted Serum-Free Medium Expands Bovine Myoblasts

September 27, 2025
blank
Biology

Duplicate CYP6P9a/b Confers Resistance in Anopheles Funestus

September 27, 2025
blank
Biology

Captive African Elephants Display Unique Reactions to Novelty

September 27, 2025
blank
Biology

Identifying Key Genes for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus

September 27, 2025
blank
Biology

Reducing Harmful Compounds in Air-Fried Meat

September 27, 2025
Next Post
Czech Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry opens branch in Boston, USA, prepares to make progress in cancer research

Czech Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry opens branch in Boston, USA, prepares to make progress in cancer research

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27560 shares
    Share 11021 Tweet 6888
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    969 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 242
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    646 shares
    Share 258 Tweet 162
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    512 shares
    Share 205 Tweet 128
  • Groundbreaking Clinical Trial Reveals Lubiprostone Enhances Kidney Function

    468 shares
    Share 187 Tweet 117
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Linking Absolute Pitch and Autistic Traits: New Scale
  • Cannabis Use Patterns in Adults with FASD
  • Master’s Students’ Insights on Online Group Work
  • Impulsivity’s Impact on Illicit Drug Use Outcomes

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,185 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading