Isn't this the e-coli long term evolution experiment. It's a fascinating experiment and above all else is elegant proof of how versatile life can be through the process of evolution. Actually, the book I'm reading now has a chapter devoted to it, pretty interesting stuff.

Thanks for this. Fascinating read. I really want to know which genes mutated and where. Can't wait for them to get the genomes of these new citrate consuming strains sequenced!

What book is that?

44,000 generations and not even a doubling of growth rate. Impressive.

The greatest show on Earth by Richard Dawkins, this experiment fills a good portion of chapter five.

Ahhh! Just started reading that myself but haven't got very far yet. Didn't know there was anything about this study in it, might have to skip forward a few chapters now!

It's a good book. There's a few unfair digs at people (I think we all know who), and that kind of ruins his writings on evolution a bit. But generally the book is fascinating. Enjoy.

Developing the ability to consume citrate which their ancestors could not is impressive though, no?

Huh? I never realised the line of what you can call an evolution was so clearly defined as a 100% increase in growth rate. 75% is pure crap.

Did you see the debate between Kirk Cameron and the atheists? The one with crocoduck? (lol evolution doesn't exist because crocoduck doesn't exist, but a platypus does lmao). 

Anyway, Cameron tried to say that micro-evolution within a species is possible due to adaptation, but then the atheists completely destroyed it by saying that you have to take a step before you take a mile. The step by step process over many many years is what we know as evolution. We don't just turn from one thing immediately into another. 

I could dissect the entire debate, but that would make Cameron look like even more of a bumbling bafoon than he already does