Richard Lenski

Richard Lenski and Zachary Blount, evolutionary biologists from Michigan State University, dive into the captivating world of bacterial evolution. They discuss their groundbreaking experiment creating 12 parallel universes of E. coli to observe unexpected evolutionary adaptations. Surprising convergences in traits challenge conventional notions of predictability in evolution. They also reveal a fascinating case of E. coli acquiring the rare ability to metabolize citrate, highlighting how randomness and historical events significantly shape evolutionary paths.