John H. Gillespie
Encyclopedia
John H. Gillespie is an evolutionary biologist interested in theoretical population genetics
and molecular evolution
. In molecular evolution, he emphasized the importance of advantageous mutations and balancing selection
. For that reason, Gillespie is well known for his selectionist
stance in the neutralist-selectionist debate. He is widely considered the main proponent of natural selection
in molecular evolution
. He had a well-known feud with the father of the neutral theory of molecular evolution
, Motoo Kimura
, initiated by a review in Science
of Kimura
's book in which Gillespie criticized Kimura for "using the book as a vehicle to establish for himself a niche in the history of science." Gillespie had only three PhD students during his career, Richard Hudson, David Cutler, and Andrew Kern. Gillespie was a professor at the University of California, Davis until his retirement in 2005.
Population genetics
Population genetics is the study of allele frequency distribution and change under the influence of the four main evolutionary processes: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation and gene flow. It also takes into account the factors of recombination, population subdivision and population...
and molecular evolution
Molecular evolution
Molecular evolution is in part a process of evolution at the scale of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Molecular evolution emerged as a scientific field in the 1960s as researchers from molecular biology, evolutionary biology and population genetics sought to understand recent discoveries on the structure...
. In molecular evolution, he emphasized the importance of advantageous mutations and balancing selection
Balancing selection
Balancing selection refers to a number of selective processes by which multiple alleles are actively maintained in the gene pool of a population at frequencies above that of gene mutation. This usually happens when the heterozygotes for the alleles under consideration have a higher adaptive value...
. For that reason, Gillespie is well known for his selectionist
Natural selection
Natural selection is the nonrandom process by which biologic traits become either more or less common in a population as a function of differential reproduction of their bearers. It is a key mechanism of evolution....
stance in the neutralist-selectionist debate. He is widely considered the main proponent of natural selection
Natural selection
Natural selection is the nonrandom process by which biologic traits become either more or less common in a population as a function of differential reproduction of their bearers. It is a key mechanism of evolution....
in molecular evolution
Molecular evolution
Molecular evolution is in part a process of evolution at the scale of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Molecular evolution emerged as a scientific field in the 1960s as researchers from molecular biology, evolutionary biology and population genetics sought to understand recent discoveries on the structure...
. He had a well-known feud with the father of the neutral theory of molecular evolution
Neutral theory of molecular evolution
The neutral theory of molecular evolution states that the vast majority of evolutionary changes at the molecular level are caused by random drift of selectively neutral mutants . The theory was introduced by Motoo Kimura in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
, Motoo Kimura
Motoo Kimura
was a Japanese biologist best known for introducing the neutral theory of molecular evolution in 1968. He became one of the most influential theoretical population geneticists. He is remembered in genetics for his innovative use of diffusion equations to calculate the probability of fixation of...
, initiated by a review in Science
Science (journal)
Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
of Kimura
Motoo Kimura
was a Japanese biologist best known for introducing the neutral theory of molecular evolution in 1968. He became one of the most influential theoretical population geneticists. He is remembered in genetics for his innovative use of diffusion equations to calculate the probability of fixation of...
's book in which Gillespie criticized Kimura for "using the book as a vehicle to establish for himself a niche in the history of science." Gillespie had only three PhD students during his career, Richard Hudson, David Cutler, and Andrew Kern. Gillespie was a professor at the University of California, Davis until his retirement in 2005.