Perspectives
Nature Reviews Microbiology 4, 784-790 (October 2006) | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1493
Science and society: From The Origin of Species to the origin of bacterial flagella
Mark J. Pallen1 & Nicholas J. Matzke2 About the authors
Abstract
In the recent Dover trial, and elsewhere, the 'Intelligent Design' movement has championed the bacterial flagellum as an irreducibly complex system that, it is claimed, could not have evolved through natural selection. Here we explore the arguments in favour of viewing bacterial flagella as evolved, rather than designed, entities. We dismiss the need for any great conceptual leaps in creating a model of flagellar evolution and speculate as to how an experimental programme focused on this topic might look.
Author affiliations
- Mark J. Pallen is at the Division of Immunity & Infection, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
- Nicholas J. Matzke is with the National Center for Science Education, Oakland, California 94609?2509 USA.
Correspondence to: Mark J. Pallen1 Email: m.pallen@bham.ac.uk
Published online 5 September 2006
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Structural biology Protein crystal mimics realityNature News and Views (15 Mar 2001)
Bacterial motion: Progress in flagellationNature News and Views (31 May 1984)
See all 9 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
Distinct roles of the FliI ATPase and proton motive force in bacterial flagellar protein exportNature Letters to Editor (24 Jan 2008)
See all 22 matches for Research
