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Evolution and the Inhibition of Mutation
| What is the origin of mutation in the genome? The traditional answer to this question is that mutation is the result of failures within the cell (i.e. DNA polymerase errors, failure to repair damaged or mispaired DNA, etc.). It is now known that this is not correct: in order for mutation to occur in microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, as well as mammals, such as mice and humans, the cell must play an active role. At times of stress, cells facilitate their own evolution by inducing mutation. We are studying this phenomenon from two different viewpoints. In the case of bacteria under stress, mutation may lead to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance. In the case of humans under stress, mutation may lead to disease, such as cancer. |