These authors led this project; other authors contributed equally and are in alphabetical order.
1558-5646/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=76ef20f1c84e06c6f14288559a818dfb66bc2235)
1558-5646/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=0d613a13bd8d7d722210b036614c30c0ac8dbe04)
You have free access to this content
LINKING BIG: THE CONTINUING PROMISE OF EVOLUTIONARY SYNTHESIS
Article first published online: 6 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00892.x
© 2009 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2009 The Society for the Study of Evolution
Additional Information
How to Cite
Sidlauskas, B., Ganapathy, G., Hazkani-Covo, E., Jenkins, K. P., Lapp, H., McCall, L. W., Price, S., Scherle, R., Spaeth, P. A. and Kidd, D. M. (2010), LINKING BIG: THE CONTINUING PROMISE OF EVOLUTIONARY SYNTHESIS. Evolution, 64: 871–880. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00892.x
- †
These authors led this project; other authors contributed equally and are in alphabetical order.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 MAR 2010
- Article first published online: 6 NOV 2009
- Received September 25, 2009Accepted October 4, 2009
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Data sharing;
- education;
- informatics;
- interdisciplinary;
- ontology;
- scientific culture;
- visualization
Synthetic science promises an unparalleled ability to find new meaning in old data, extant results, or previously unconnected methods and concepts, but pursuing synthesis can be a difficult and risky endeavor. Our experience as biologists, informaticians, and educators at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center has affirmed that synthesis can yield major insights, but also revealed that technological hurdles, prevailing academic culture, and general confusion about the nature of synthesis can hamper its progress. By presenting our view of what synthesis is, why it will continue to drive progress in evolutionary biology, and how to remove barriers to its progress, we provide a map to a future in which all scientists can engage productively in synthetic research.