Evolution of Genes and Proteins, and Their Gain or Loss of Function

Abstract

Genetic material undergoes constant evolutionary change. Understanding these changes by comparing gene and protein sequences between closely related and distantly related organisms allows for framing an evolutionary history of the genes, gene families, and the organisms that contain them. Bioinformatics helps to formally compare and mathematically calculate the degrees of relatedness between sequences and organisms. Here we summarize the conceptual basis, technological innovations, and historical as well as contemporary strategies for the understanding of gene and protein evolution.