Director of the Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology
Max-Planck-Institute for Biology
Tuebingen, Germany
Title: What´s wrong with evolutionary theory? – On developmental plasticity, epigenetics and the inheritance of non-genetic information.
Abstract: Evolution is one of the major principles of life that distinguishes biological from physical systems. However, the mechanisms and processes that guide evolution remain contentious with multiple ongoing debates on the role of genetic vs. environmental factors among others. I will discuss insight from developmental plasticity and epigenetics using the hermaphroditic nematode Pristionchus pacificus. This species exhibits an environmentally sensitive mouth-form dimorphism resulting in different feeding structures and feeding strategies including predation. The power of developmental genetics, epigenetics and experimental manipulation provides insight into the regulatory logic of developmental plasticity and associated life history decisions. Using long-term environmental induction experiments we show the inheritance of non-genetic information. I will discuss the role of microRNAs and associated regulatory mechanisms for the transmission of multigenerational memory and trait canalization. This work indicates the importance of developmental plasticity and transgenerational inheritance for developmental decision making, the ecological responsiveness of organisms and relentness evolution. Overall, a model system approach relying on the isogenic propagation of a rapidly developing nematode provides novel insight into the links between development, ecology and evolution.
Host: Oliver Hobert
