The multi-scale complexity of human genetic variation beyond continental groups.

Traditional clustering and visualization approaches in human genetics often operate under frameworks that assume inherent, discrete groupings. These methods can inadvertently simplify multifaceted relationships, functioning to entrench the idea of typological groups. We introduce a network-based pipeline and visualization tool grounded in relational thinking, which constructs networks from a variety of genetic similarity metrics.

Early effects of gene duplication on the robustness and phenotypic variability of gene regulatory networks.

Background: Research on gene duplication is abundant and comes from a wide range of approaches, from high-throughput analyses and experimental evolution to bioinformatics and theoretical models. Notwithstanding, a consensus is still lacking regarding evolutionary mechanisms involved in evolution through gene duplication as well as the conditions that affect them. We argue that a better understanding of evolution through gene duplication requires considering explicitly that genes do not act in isolation.

Recombination facilitates genetic assimilation of new traits in gene regulatory networks.

A new phenotypic variant may appear first in organisms through plasticity, that is, as a response to an environmental signal or other nongenetic perturbation. If such trait is beneficial, selection may increase the frequency of alleles that enable and facilitate its development. Thus, genes may take control of such traits, decreasing dependence on nongenetic disturbances, in a process called genetic assimilation.