Title |
The differential view of genotype–phenotype relationships
|
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Published in |
Frontiers in Genetics, May 2015
|
DOI | 10.3389/fgene.2015.00179 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Virginie Orgogozo, Baptiste Morizot, Arnaud Martin |
Abstract |
An integrative view of diversity and singularity in the living world requires a better understanding of the intricate link between genotypes and phenotypes. Here we re-emphasize the old standpoint that the genotype-phenotype (GP) relationship is best viewed as a connection between two differences, one at the genetic level and one at the phenotypic level. As of today, predominant thinking in biology research is that multiple genes interact with multiple environmental variables (such as abiotic factors, culture, or symbionts) to produce the phenotype. Often, the problem of linking genotypes and phenotypes is framed in terms of genotype and phenotype maps, and such graphical representations implicitly bring us away from the differential view of GP relationships. Here we show that the differential view of GP relationships is a useful explanatory framework in the context of pervasive pleiotropy, epistasis, and environmental effects. In such cases, it is relevant to view GP relationships as differences embedded into differences. Thinking in terms of differences clarifies the comparison between environmental and genetic effects on phenotypes and helps to further understand the connection between genotypes and phenotypes. |
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Switzerland | 2 | 5% |
Spain | 1 | 3% |
France | 1 | 3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 3% |
Sweden | 1 | 3% |
Italy | 1 | 3% |
Taiwan | 1 | 3% |
Ireland | 1 | 3% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 23 | 62% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 18 | 49% |
Scientists | 16 | 43% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 5% |
Unknown | 1 | 3% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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United States | 6 | 2% |
Portugal | 2 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
Spain | 1 | <1% |
Canada | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 349 | 97% |
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Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Researcher | 53 | 15% |
Student > Master | 51 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 51 | 14% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 22 | 6% |
Other | 50 | 14% |
Unknown | 68 | 19% |
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 143 | 40% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 69 | 19% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 15 | 4% |
Computer Science | 8 | 2% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 7 | 2% |
Other | 41 | 11% |
Unknown | 77 | 21% |