Flowering Plant Study 'Catches Evolution in the Act'

[n2doc]

ScienceDaily (Mar. 17, 2011) — A new University of Florida study shows when two flowering plants are crossed to produce a new hybrid, the new species' genes are reset, allowing for greater genetic variation.

Researchers say the study, to be published March 17 in Current Biology, could lead to a better understanding of how to best grow more stable and higher yielding agricultural crops.

"We caught evolution in the act," said Doug Soltis, a distinguished professor in UF's biology department and study co-author. "New and diverse patterns of gene expression may allow the new species to rapidly adapt in new environments."

The study shows the new plant species had relaxed control of gene expression in its earliest generations. But today, after 80 years of evolution, control has been regained, allowing for the production of different patterns of gene expression in different plants. The new species was remade in UF greenhouses as well as studied in its natural habitat.


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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110317131034.htm

Better not let the Florida Legislature hear this, they will cut their funding still further unless they "study the other side of the debate"

[Ian David]

1. I, for one, welcome our new, herbal overlords. n/t

[JackintheGreen]

2. Natch

[HuckleB]

3. Recommended.

[DirkGently]

4. How come we still have plants, if plants came from plants? Erm.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Heh. nt

[rbixby]

6. I'm still waiting for creationists to catch god in the act

of doing anything at all.