scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6881 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
And Migration

Humanity faces serious social and environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Increasingly, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public conclude that incremental approaches to reduce risk are insufficient and transformative change is needed across all sectors of society. However, the meaning of transformation is still unsettled in the literature, as is the proper role of science in fostering it. This paper is the first in a three-part series that adds to the discussion by proposing a novel science-driven research-and-development program aimed at societal transformation. More than a proposal, it offers a perspective and conceptual framework from which societal transformation might be approached. As part of this, it advances a formal mechanics with which to model and understand self-organizing societies of individuals. While acknowledging the necessity of reform to existing societal systems (e.g., governance, economic, and financial systems), the focus of the series is on transformation understood as systems change or systems migration—the de novo development of and migration to new societal systems. The series provides definitions, aims, reasoning, worldview, and a theory of change, and discusses fitness metrics and design principles for new systems. This first paper proposes a worldview, built using ideas from evolutionary biology, complex systems science, cognitive sciences, and information theory, which is intended to serve as the foundation for the R&D program. Subsequent papers in the series build on the worldview to address fitness metrics, system design, and other topics.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part I: Worldview

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Boik
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
And Migration

Humanity faces serious social and environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Risks are increasing and conditions deteriorating. Increasingly, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public conclude that incremental approaches are insufficient and transformative change is needed across all sectors of society. However, the meaning of transformation is still unsettled in the literature, as is the proper role of science in fostering it. This paper is the first in a three-part series that adds to the discussion by proposing a novel science-driven research-and-development program aimed at societal transformation. More than a proposal, it offers a perspective and conceptual framework from which societal transformation might be approached and understood. While acknowledging the necessity of reform to existing societal systems (e.g., governance, economic, and financial systems), the focus of the series is on transformation understood as systems change or systems migration—the de novo development of and migration to new societal systems. The series provides definitions, aims, reasoning, worldview, and a theory of change, and discusses fitness metrics and design principles for new systems. This first paper proposes a worldview built using ideas from evolutionary biology, complex systems science, cognitive sciences, and information theory that is intended to serve as the foundation for the R&D program.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part II: Motivation and Strategy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Cognitive Architectures ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Global Science

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other social and environmental problems pose grave risks. Progress so far has been incremental and insufficient, and as a result scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that bold change is required across all sectors of society. At least two kinds of bold change are conceivable: reform of existing societal systems (e.g., financial, economic, legal, and governance systems), including their institutions, policies, rules, and priorities; and transformation, understood as the de novo development of and migration to new, improved systems. This paper is the second in a series of three that together propose a novel science-driven research and development program aimed at societal transformation. Moreover, the series advances a conceptual framework and formal mechanics by which societal transformation might be approached. Two of the underlying hypotheses are that new societal systems can be developed in a science-driven process to be fit for purpose, and system fitness can be compared across designs. Societies are viewed as superorganisms, and systems are viewed as a societal cognitive architecture. The first paper in the series provides definitions, aims, hypotheses, and a worldview. This paper discusses motivations, the role of science in societal transformation, a theory of change, and fitness metrics. The proposed R&D program and theory of change are sound, viable, and affordable. The local-global-viral strategy invites the global science community to play a unique co-leadership role with local communities in the development, testing, and monitoring of new societal systems. Systems are implemented via a novel civic club model, where participation is voluntary. Clubs grow and replicate based on merit and aided by club networks, whose systems are also viewed as societal cognitive architectures. Benefits of the program and strategy are discussed.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part III: Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
And Migration

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other major social and environmental problems pose severe risks. Progress has been inadequate and scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that transformational change is needed across all sectors of society in order to improve and maintain social and ecological wellbeing. At least two paths to transformation are conceivable: (1) reform of and innovation within existing societal systems (e.g., economic, legal, and governance systems); and (2) the de novo development of and migration to new and improved societal systems. This paper is the final in a three-part series of concept papers that together outline a novel science-driven research and development program aimed at the second path. It summarizes literature to build a narrative on the topic of de novo design of societal systems. The purpose is to raise issues, suggest design possibilities, and highlight directions and questions that could be explored in the context of this or any R&D program aimed at new system design. This paper does not present original research, but rather provides a synthesis of selected ideas from the literature. Following other papers in the series, a society is viewed as a superorganism and its societal systems as a cognitive architecture. Accordingly, a central goal of design is to improve the collective cognitive capacity of a society, rendering it more capable of achieving and sustainably maintaining vitality. Topics of attention, communication, self-identity, power, and influence are discussed in relation to societal cognition and system design. A prototypical societal system is described, and some design considerations are highlighted.

scholarly journals Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part II: Motivation and Strategy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8047
Author(s):  
John C. Boik
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Societal Transformation ◽  
Global Policy ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Migration

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other well-known social and environmental problems pose grave risks. Progress has been insufficient, and as a result, scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that bold change is required. At least two kinds of bold change are conceivable: reform of existing societal systems (e.g., financial, economic, and governance systems), including their institutions, policies, and priorities; and transformation, understood here as the de novo development of and migration to new and improved systems. The latter has barely been explored in the scientific literature and is the focus of this concept paper. The main theses explored are that transformation is prudent, given risks, attractive, given potential benefits, and achievable, given political, social, and financial constraints. A body of literature is cited in support, but that body is necessarily small given the novelty of the topic. In particular, there are almost no papers in the scientific literature addressing the “how to?” of transformation, a central theme of this paper. Thus, this paper serves in part to raise topics and bring attention to possibilities and new directions.

scholarly journals The Rubisco small subunits in the green algal genus Chloromonas provide insights into evolutionary loss of the eukaryotic carbon-concentrating organelle, the pyrenoid

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Matsuzaki ◽  
Shigekatsu Suzuki ◽  
Haruyo Yamaguchi ◽  
Masanobu Kawachi ◽  
Yu Kanesaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Plant Evolution ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Photosynthetic Organisms ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Interesting Study ◽  
Algal Genus ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Pyrenoids are protein microcompartments composed mainly of Rubisco that are localized in the chloroplasts of many photosynthetic organisms. Pyrenoids contribute to the CO2-concentrating mechanism. This organelle has been lost many times during algal/plant evolution, including with the origin of land plants. The molecular basis of the evolutionary loss of pyrenoids is a major topic in evolutionary biology. Recently, it was hypothesized that pyrenoid formation is controlled by the hydrophobicity of the two helices on the surface of the Rubisco small subunit (RBCS), but the relationship between hydrophobicity and pyrenoid loss during the evolution of closely related algal/plant lineages has not been examined. Here, we focused on, the Reticulata group of the unicellular green algal genus Chloromonas, within which pyrenoids are present in some species, although they are absent in the closely related species. Results Based on de novo transcriptome analysis and Sanger sequencing of cloned reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products, rbcS sequences were determined from 11 strains of two pyrenoid-lacking and three pyrenoid-containing species of the Reticulata group. We found that the hydrophobicity of the RBCS helices was roughly correlated with the presence or absence of pyrenoids within the Reticulata group and that a decrease in the hydrophobicity of the RBCS helices may have primarily caused pyrenoid loss during the evolution of this group. Conclusions Although we suggest that the observed correlation may only exist for the Reticulata group, this is still an interesting study that provides novel insight into a potential mechanism determining initial evolutionary steps of gain and loss of the pyrenoid.

MYRF haploinsufficiency causes 46,XY and 46,XX disorders of sex development: bioinformatics consideration

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 2319-2329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Hamanaka ◽  
Atsushi Takata ◽  
Yuri Uchiyama ◽  
Satoko Miyatake ◽  
Noriko Miyake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Causative Gene ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Proliferation And Migration

AbstractDisorders of sex development (DSDs) are defined as congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. In many DSD cases, genetic causes remain to be elucidated. Here, we performed a case–control exome sequencing study comparing gene-based burdens of rare damaging variants between 26 DSD cases and 2625 controls. We found exome-wide significant enrichment of rare heterozygous truncating variants in the MYRF gene encoding myelin regulatory factor, a transcription factor essential for oligodendrocyte development. All three variants occurred de novo. We identified an additional 46,XY DSD case of a de novo damaging missense variant in an independent cohort. The clinical symptoms included hypoplasia of Müllerian derivatives and ovaries in 46,XX DSD patients, defective development of Sertoli and Leydig cells in 46,XY DSD patients and congenital diaphragmatic hernia in one 46,XY DSD patient. As all of these cells and tissues are or partly consist of coelomic epithelium (CE)-derived cells (CEDC) and CEDC developed from CE via proliferaiton and migration, MYRF might be related to these processes. Consistent with this hypothesis, single-cell RNA sequencing of foetal gonads revealed high expression of MYRF in CE and CEDC. Reanalysis of public chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data for rat Myrf showed that genes regulating proliferation and migration were enriched among putative target genes of Myrf. These results suggested that MYRF is a novel causative gene of 46,XY and 46,XX DSD and MYRF is a transcription factor regulating CD and/or CEDC proliferation and migration, which is essential for development of multiple organs.

scholarly journals Contingency in the convergent evolution of a regulatory network: Dosage compensation in Drosophila

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Bachtrog ◽  
Chris Ellison
Keyword(s):  
Transposable Element ◽  
Dosage Compensation ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Sequence Motif ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
Msl Complex

The repeatability or predictability of evolution is a central question in evolutionary biology, and most often addressed in experimental evolution studies. Here, we infer how genetically heterogeneous natural systems acquire the same molecular changes, to address how genomic background affects adaptation in natural populations. In particular, we take advantage of independently formed neo-sex chromosomes in Drosophila species that have evolved dosage compensation by co-opting the dosage compensation (MSL) complex, to study the mutational paths that have led to the acquisition of 100s of novel binding sites for the MSL complex in different species. This complex recognizes a conserved 21-bp GA-rich sequence motif that is enriched on the X chromosome, and newly formed X chromosomes recruit the MSL complex by de novo acquisition of this binding motif. We identify recently formed sex chromosomes in the Drosophila repleta and robusta species groups by genome sequencing, and generate genomic occupancy maps of the MSL complex to infer the location of novel binding sites. We find that diverse mutational paths were utilized in each species to evolve 100s of de novo binding motifs along the neo-X, including expansions of microsatellites and transposable element insertions. However, the propensity to utilize a particular mutational path differs between independently formed X chromosomes, and appears to be contingent on genomic properties of that species, such as simple repeat or transposable element density. This establishes the “genomic environment” as an important determinant in predicting the outcome of evolutionary adaptations.

A CYC-RAD-DIV-DRIF interaction likely pre-dates the origin of floral monosymmetry in Lamiales

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniket Sengupta ◽  
Lena C. Hileman
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Regulatory Interaction ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Regulatory Interactions ◽  
Developmental Program ◽  
Novel Traits ◽  
Carpel Development ◽  
Outstanding Question

Abstract BackgroundAn outstanding question in evolutionary biology is how genetic interactions defining novel traits evolve. They may evolve either by de novo assembly of previously non-interacting genes or by en bloc co-option of interactions from other functions. We tested these hypotheses in the context of a novel phenotype—Lamiales flower monosymmetry—defined by a developmental program that relies on regulatory interaction among CYCLOIDEA , RADIALIS , DIVARICATA , and DRIF gene products. In Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon), representing Lamiales, we tested whether components of this program likely function beyond their previously known role in petal and stamen development. In Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), representing Solanales which diverged from Lamiales before the origin of Lamiales floral monosymmetry, we additionally tested for regulatory interactions in this program. ResultsWe found that RADIALIS , DIVARICATA , and DRIF are expressed in snapdragon ovaries and developing fruit, similar to their homologs during tomato fruit development. Additionally, we found that a tomato CYCLOIDEA ortholog positively regulates a tomato RADIALIS ortholog. ConclusionOur results provide preliminary support to the hypothesis that the developmental program defining floral monosymmetry in Lamiales was co-opted en bloc from a function in carpel development. This expands our understanding of novel trait evolution facilitated by co-option of existing regulatory interactions.

scholarly journals Bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias: focus on blinatumomab

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204062072091963
Author(s):  
Jose-Maria Ribera ◽  
Eulalia Genescà ◽  
Jordi Ribera
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Cell Precursor ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Clinical Development Program

Bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies are constructs engineered to bind to two different antigens, one to a tumor-specific target and the other to CD3-positive T cells or natural killer (NK) cells. Blinatumomab engages CD19 and CD3, performing effective serial lysis. The clinical development program in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) includes clinical trials in relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients and in B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL patients with measurable residual disease. Several trials are currently being conducted in de novo BCP-ALL, either in induction, consolidation, or before or after hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Combination with other targeted therapies or with other immunotherapeutic approaches are also underway. Several strategies are aimed to optimize the use of blinatumomab either by overcoming the mechanisms of resistance (e.g. inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1) or by improvements in the route of application, among others.

scholarly journals Disentangling Population History and Character Evolution among Hybridizing Lineages

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1295-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P Mullen ◽  
Nicholas W VanKuren ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Sumitha Nallu ◽  
Evan B Kristiansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Incomplete Lineage Sorting ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Character Evolution ◽  
Population History ◽  
Lineage Sorting ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Whole Genome Resequencing

Abstract Understanding the origin and maintenance of adaptive phenotypic novelty is a central goal of evolutionary biology. However, both hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting can lead to genealogical discordance between the regions of the genome underlying adaptive traits and the remainder of the genome, decoupling inferences about character evolution from population history. Here, to disentangle these effects, we investigated the evolutionary origins and maintenance of Batesian mimicry between North American admiral butterflies (Limenitis arthemis) and their chemically defended model (Battus philenor) using a combination of de novo genome sequencing, whole-genome resequencing, and statistical introgression mapping. Our results suggest that balancing selection, arising from geographic variation in the presence or absence of the unpalatable model, has maintained two deeply divergent color patterning haplotypes that have been repeatedly sieved among distinct mimetic and nonmimetic lineages of Limenitis via introgressive hybridization.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document