The Molecular History of Eukaryotic Life  A life long project


David Nelson  Dec. 7, 2000

This page announces the beginning of a comprehensive description of the molecular 
events that have occurred in eukaryotic life leading to the present day diversity.  This 
should occupy my fascination with this subject for the next twenty years.  I would 
encourage others with a like mind to join me in this project to provide the detailed step by 
step transitions from the earliest amitochondriate cells to the marvels of extant 
protostomes and deuterostomes.  I am interested in the identifcation and description of 
the origins of novel processes like the appearance of the HOX genes and the unique 
molecular events that have happened in specific lineages.  One example is the fusion of 
two great ape chromosomes to reduce the number from 24 pairs to the 23 that are seen in 
humans.  This single event defined our hominid lineage.  

There is a vast history to outline, going back two billion years or more.  If you are 
interested and have a favorite example, send me an email.

My email address is 


David Nelson   dnelson@utmem.edu 
My phone is (901) 448-8303 My FAX is (901) 448-7360

Introduction
The Synapomorphies
Return to index