By combining full-genome sequencing and ‘evolutionary replay’ experiments to dissect the origin of aerobic citrate use in an experimental Escherichia coli population over 40,000 generations and 2 decades, the authors unveil a 3-step process in which potentiation makes a trait possible, actualization makes the trait manifest and refinement makes it effective.
- Zachary D. Blount
- Jeffrey E. Barrick
- Richard E. Lenski
