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LINKING BIG: THE CONTINUING PROMISE OF EVOLUTIONARY SYNTHESIS
Author(s) -
Sidlauskas Brian,
Ganapathy Ganeshkumar,
HazkaniCovo Einat,
Jenkins Kristin P.,
Lapp Hilmar,
McCall Lauren W.,
Price Samantha,
Scherle Ryan,
Spaeth Paula A.,
Kidd David M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00892.x
Subject(s) - extant taxon , biology , modern evolutionary synthesis , confusion , meaning (existential) , engineering ethics , synthetic biology , epistemology , data science , evolutionary biology , computer science , computational biology , psychology , philosophy , psychoanalysis , engineering
Synthetic science promises an unparalleled ability to find new meaning in old data, extant results, or previously unconnected methods and concepts, but pursuing synthesis can be a difficult and risky endeavor. Our experience as biologists, informaticians, and educators at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center has affirmed that synthesis can yield major insights, but also revealed that technological hurdles, prevailing academic culture, and general confusion about the nature of synthesis can hamper its progress. By presenting our view of what synthesis is, why it will continue to drive progress in evolutionary biology, and how to remove barriers to its progress, we provide a map to a future in which all scientists can engage productively in synthetic research.