Molecular Evolution: Repair Mechanisms and Genetic Diversity

This lecture covers the molecular mechanisms of defense, mutations, and variants, including DNA repair mechanisms such as proofreading and mismatch repair. It also delves into the CRISPR/Cas system, homologous recombination, and the evolution of DNA repair systems. The historical context of restriction/modification systems and the groundbreaking work of researchers like Werner Arber, Daniel Nathans, and Hamilton Smith are discussed. The lecture further explores the long-term experimental evolution of E. coli by Richard Lenski, highlighting the emergence of new traits and species over thousands of generations.