On the future of biology

Abstract

Biology is driven by two strategies of research. The first, using functional studies at the molecule-to-organism transitions, utilizes the principle that for every problem in biology, there is an organism ideal for its solution. The second, comparative and evolutionary in orientation, consists of thorough studies of every biological aspect of a given taxonomic group of species and follows the principle inverse to the first that for every organism, there is a problem to the solution for which it is ideally suited. The two approaches are complementary and of increased connectivity to each other. In passing from the traditional, intensely focused reductionist approach of 20th century biology to a more synthetic and authentically holistic phase, new emphasis will be placed on the major transitions between levels of biological organizations and onto processes of multilevel evolution by which they have been achieved. © 2009 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.