Individuals with exactly the same genetic make-up can differ from one another in their development and resulting phenotype when the genome contains a mutation — a phenomenon called 'partial penetrance'. Exploration of the genetic and stochastic factors controlling the proportion of abnormal 'twin' spores in mutant populations of the bacterium Bacillus subtilus now reveals how mutations affecting DNA replication and cell division may act in synergy to significantly increase the penetrance of twin sporulation.
- Avigdor Eldar
- Vasant K. Chary
- Michael B. Elowitz
