Language: English
Modularity is one of the main driving forces of evolution. In nature we find at many levels the principle of modular building blocks – like Lego bricks – that can be recombined and thereby lead to innovation. At the level of proteins, we see innovations rise through the recombination of so-called protein domains, which act as biological Lego bricks. Analysing domain combinations, rearrangements and their functions brings us closer to understanding nature’s builder’s guide. Such a builder’s guide of evolution helps us developing practical applications in bioinformatics, medicine and biotechnology, next to answering important biological questions about life on earth.
Mail: e.dohmen@wwu.de