| Grant number: | 99/09644-9 |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |
| Start date: | March 01, 2000 |
| End date: | August 31, 2004 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - General Physics |
| Principal Investigator: | José Fernando Fontanari |
| Grantee: | José Fernando Fontanari |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil |
| City of the host institution: | São Carlos |
Abstract
The introduction of molecular methods in the study of evolution has undoubtedly turned this research field into a 'hard' science, in which the relevant parameters can be accurately measured from experimental data, and the theories can be tested against reality. In this project we concentrate on two areas of study, namely, (a) reconstruction of the evolutionary history of genes and organisms (ancestral inference), and (b) prebiotic evolution or the origin of life. Although these areas have traditionally been studied separately, mainly because the origin of life is still a largely speculative issue, we will argue that, from the theoretical side at least, the models used to study the two problems are essentially the same; the main difference being the emphasis given on different characteristics or quantities of the evolutionary process. In this sense we plan to use our experience of 5 years of work on prebiotic evolution to tackle problems on phylogeny and genealogy reconstruction. This sort of problem has great practical importance as, for instance, the elucidation of the origin and natural history of viruses. More pointedly, we will focus on the effects of selection (or differential reproduction) on the statistical properties of genealogical trees such as the adjacency patterns and the distribution of distance between nodes. Although these properties are well understood in the case of neutral evolution, there are very few works that take selection into account. As for the prebiotic evolution theme, we will concentrate mainly on the application of group selection theory ideas to explain the stable coexistence of self-replicating molecules with different rates of replication. This coexistence is essential to the emergence of complex molecular clusters capable of working as a rudimentary metabolism. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant: |
| More itemsLess items |
| TITULO |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): |
| More itemsLess items |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |