Symbiosis of disciplines: how can developmental biologists join conservationists in sustaining and restoring earth's biodiversity?
Abstract
What can developmental biology contribute toward mitigating the consequences of anthropogenic assaults on the environment and climate change? In this Spotlight article, we advocate a developmental biology that takes seriously Lynn Margulis' claim that ‘the environment is part of the body’. We believe this to be a pre-condition for developmental biology playing important roles in conservation and environmental restoration. We need to forge a developmental biology of the holobiont – the multi-genomic physiologically integrated organism that is also a functional biome. To this end, we highlight how developmental biology needs to explore more deeply the interactions between developing organisms, and their chemical, physical and biotic environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1242/dev.199960
Entities
People
- Michael Hadfield
- Scott F. Gilbert
Organizations
- Leidos
- Office of Naval Research
- Swarthmore College