Category Archives: Experimental Evolution

To be or not to be? The question of virulence as posed by polio

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

In a previous post we discussed the identity of polio. If you haven’t yet read it and aren’t well-versed in who or what polio is, might I recommend a brief glance? If you’re already up to date on cVDPVs, let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Want to make a new species? Put a little pressure on it…

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

A fascinating event that can occur in evolution is speciation; mutations bringing about new species that are significantly different to their ancestor. But how does this happen, what causes it, and how can we watch it happen? Observing the processes … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Hybrids: a fast track to evolution?

Posted on September 12, 2019 by

Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is, in my opinion, the most awe-inspiring of scientific theories. Sure, it doesn’t quite have the indispensable quality of gravitational theory in literally holding us to the Earth… But, to look around at … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

CANCER’S NEXT TOP MODEL?

Posted on October 8, 2018 by

As a scientist, I want to find a treatment for cancer. To do this I need to perform many experiments testing my new therapy on cancer. I can’t just use human patients, they’re too annoying. How about cancer cells from … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finding Sequels

Posted on September 27, 2018 by

I’ve always, always, always loved animals. As a kid, I wanted to be a vet (“also an actor,” thought this 30-something genetics student, “kids are weird”). My Mum worked at a Safari Park in the UK, which didn’t help, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The life of a pea aphid, and why you don’t want to be him

Posted on September 8, 2017 by

Aphids live pretty simple lives, suck up some plant juices, find a mate, and make some babies…sounds quite chilled, right? Wrong. In fact, the life of a pea aphid or Acyrthosiphon pisum, is a constant battle against predators and parasites. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental Evolution | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments