Molecular Epigenetics in Evolution and Development

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dc.contributor.authorLewis, James Josephen
dc.contributor.committeechairBurian, Richard M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberFitzPatrick, William J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberHopkins, William A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberHaufe, Chrisen
dc.contributor.departmentPhilosophyen
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-04T19:49:43Zen
dc.date.adate2010-09-15en
dc.date.available2017-04-04T19:49:43Zen
dc.date.issued2010-06-25en
dc.date.rdate2016-10-07en
dc.date.sdate2010-08-22en
dc.description.abstractThe dominantly held view in evolutionary theory focuses on gradual or punctuated change, primarily via natural selection, as the mechanism by which novel traits arise and evolution occurs. Noticeably absent from this portrayal of evolution is mention of the conservation of general characteristics, such as homologous morphological features or conserved nucleotide sequences, commonly observed across even distantly related groups at both the molecular and organismal levels. This raises at least the following questions: a) How does the evolution of conserved traits fit into an evolutionary theory that emphasizes change? b) What components of an evolving system provide the capacity for adaptation in spite of this apparent conservation of general traits? And c) How do these components affect the evolution of lineages? Here I suggest that heritable traits such as DNA methylation and histone modifications provide one place to look when addressing these questions. Current quantitative and population genetic models reflect the dominant view of evolution described above, and act as the foundation for both formal and informal descriptions and predictions of evolutionary change. Using results from recent work in molecular epigenetics, I consider the evolutionary implications for these traits, and show how current models of evolution fail to accurately capture this influence. In doing so, I also address some of the philosophical implications for how we conceptualize evolution, and what potential changes might be necessary for a more complete theory.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.identifier.otheretd-08222010-215724en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-08222010-215724/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/76851en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectevo-devoen
dc.subjectepigeneticsen
dc.subjectevolutionen
dc.subjectdevelopmenten
dc.titleMolecular Epigenetics in Evolution and Developmenten
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplinePhilosophyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

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