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Computational Biology, Probability and Combinatorics
Current Projects: Contact:
 
(a)
 Pseudoknot-RNA
 
(b)
 Discrete Structures
 
(c)
 RNA Prediction
 
(d)
 RNA tertiary interactions
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  fax: *86-22-23509272
  email: reidys@nankai.edu.cn
Background:  
Arguably one of the most fascinating questions is that of understanding the basic mechanisms by which (molecular) structures or organisms evolve over time.
The concept of "self design" of organisms by way of inheritance dates back to Lamarck (1800). This type of "adaption" will lead to evolution.Lamarck's theory stipulates that all individuals of a species are indistinguishable and adapt as a whole to an environment induced goal.Lamarck's conceptualization exhibits many features of modern theories on evolution. The milestone in evolutionary theories is Darwin's theory of biological evolution (1859) presented in the "The Origin of Species". Darwin's theory is based on two fundamental principles, genetic variability caused by mutation and natural selection.
In contrast to Lamarck he observed that there is hereditary diversity among offspring i.e. offspring is individualized and that survival is not just a random sample but those who are better adapted to the environment. Accordingly distinct individuals possibly take different routes eventually leading to speciation. Without doubt, this diversity of adaptive responses can be viewed as "neutral evolution". 1883 Weismann introduced the dualism of a "legislative" and "executive" which he located in the cell nucleus. Obviously, his conceptualization is still part of contemporary molecular biology. The work of Morgan, Fisher and Haldane showed that Darwin's theory of evolution is compatible with a theory of inheritance based on genes organized via chromosomes (potentially being present in multiple variants). However, the biochemical identity of a gene was still unknown.It was 1953 when Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA as two hetero polymeric strands with monomer-specific hydrogen bonding.