Longest Evolution Experiment Dead-End
The industry’s longest-running research experiment reached a milestone in October, studying the evolution of more than 68,000 generations.
Biologist Richard Lenski (pictured right below) initiated the now legendary experiment in his laboratory early in 1988, using 12 flasks seeded with genetically identical bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Since then, the bacteria have been growing in a carefully measured solution of glucose, a type of sugar—”food” for bacteria. Each flask contained a sparse amount of glucose to create a stressful environment, along with a high concentration of citrate, a molecular cousin of glucose, which pushed the bacteria to adapt. Since 1988, Lenski’s laboratory team has transferred a small sample of the new 50 mL Erlenmeyer flasks every day.
