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Hi all,<br>
<br>
It looks like the regular SNS reminder didn't go out - but we have
a great QSB seminar speaker today!<br>
<br>
COB 110, 10:30 AM<br>
<br>
<br>
QSB Seminar today: Noah Whiteman<br>
<a href="http://www.noahwhiteman.org/">http://www.noahwhiteman.org/</a><br>
<br>
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TALK TITLE & ABSTRACT<br>
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<div>The evolution of novelty by small<br>
steps and giant leaps: A tale of two toxins</div>
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<div>Evolutionary biology finds itself in a golden age. The genomics
revolution and new genome editing technology are providing answers
to central questions in evolution that were out of reach even a
few years ago. This profusion of information is difficult to
integrate with existing theory. On one hand, the Modern Synthesis
posits that adaptation proceeds through small, gradual steps up
adaptive peaks, a view largely supported by these new data. On the
other, horizontal gene transfer, hybridization, and symbioses
result in large, sudden leaps to previously inaccessible fitness
peaks, processes largely ignored by the Modern Synthesis. I will
share two empirical studies from my laboratory that suggest these
seemingly disparate adaptive processes are two sides of the same
coin. Diverse insects have co-opted two different toxins—heart
poisons from plants and DNAses from bacteria—as defenses against
natural enemies. I will show how these remarkable adaptations
require both small steps and giant leaps to explain their origin
and elaboration.</div>
<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Emily Jane McTavish
Assistant Professor
School of Natural Sciences
University of California, Merced
5200 N. Lake Rd, Merced CA 95343
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ejmctavish@gmail.com">ejmctavish@gmail.com</a>, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ejmctavish@ucmerced.edu">ejmctavish@ucmerced.edu</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://mctavishlab.github.io/">https://mctavishlab.github.io/</a> (she,her)</pre>
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