The meanings of 'function' in biology and the problematic case of de novo gene emergence

Diane Marie Keeling; Patricia Garza; Charisse Michelle Nartey; Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis

doi:10.7554/eLife.47014

The meanings of 'function' in biology and the problematic case of de novo gene emergence

Elife. 2019 Nov 1:8:e47014. doi: 10.7554/eLife.47014.

Authors

Diane Marie Keeling¹, Patricia Garza², Charisse Michelle Nartey³, Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Communication Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, United States.
² Colegio de Saberes, Mexico City, Mexico.
³ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.
⁴ Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.
⁵ Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, United States.

Abstract

The word function has many different meanings in molecular biology. Here we explore the use of this word (and derivatives like functional) in research papers about de novo gene birth. Based on an analysis of 20 abstracts we propose a simple lexicon that, we believe, will help scientists and philosophers discuss the meaning of function more clearly.

Keywords: de novo gene birth; evolutionary biology; function; genetics; genomics; none; philosophy of biology; philosophy of science; rhetoric.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biological Factors / metabolism*
Molecular Biology / methods*
Terminology as Topic*

Substances

Biological Factors

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding