Revealing how acquired traits evolve

What is it about?

Whether acquired traits can be stably inherited by offspring remains a topic of intense debate. In this study, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model to investigate the mechanisms by which traits induced by stressful conditions can be passed on to future generations.

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Photo by Tyler Jamieson Moulton on Unsplash

Photo by Tyler Jamieson Moulton on Unsplash

Why is it important?

For decades, scientists have debated the molecular mechanisms underlying the inheritance of acquired traits. Thanks to advances in genomics and cutting-edge analytical methods, we can now begin to answer these fundamental questions. Our findings challenge recent hypotheses by showing that neither stress-induced genetic nor epigenetic variation is the primary driver of inherited traits. Instead, we demonstrate that pre-existing genetic variation in ancestral populations plays a key role in shaping the evolution of acquired traits.

Perspectives

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This article addresses the contribution of genetic determinants into a phenomenon - the inheritance of acquired traits - that has often been suggested to depend on epigenetic mechanisms. I hope that further expanding this research will allow the community to generalize our understanding as to what are the contributions from genetics and epigenetics in this intriguing and evolutionarily important phenomenon.

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I hope this article contributes to a better understanding of the genetic assimilation process and serves as an example of how modern methodologies can help address long-standing questions in biology.

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