Document Type : Commentary
Authors
- Seyed Ali Reza Mortazavi 1
- Ilham Said-Salman 2, 3
- Sami El Khatib 4, 5
- Parmis Taghizadeh 6
- Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi 7, 8
- Lembit Sihver 9, 10, 11
1 MVLS College, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
2 Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
3 International University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
5 Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics (CAMB) at Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait City, Kuwait
6 School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
7 Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
8 Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
9 9Department of Radiation Physics, Technische Universität Wien, Atominstitut, 1040 Vienna, Austria
10 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, CanadaUSA
11 Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Abstract
Natural selection, a cornerstone of evolutionary biology, shapes the adaptations organisms develop to survive environmental pressures. This paper explores how natural selection drives biological adaptations to radiation exposure. We examine the genetic mechanisms at play, exemplified by the enhanced DNA repair capabilities observed in bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) following exposure to radiation. We then investigate adaptations in humans residing in high-background radiation areas, highlighting potential genetic variations for radiation resistance. Finally, the contemporary relevance of natural selection is discussed, emphasizing its role in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the need for sustainable medical practices. By studying these adaptations, we gain a deeper understanding of evolution and its implications for medicine, conservation, and our overall understanding of life.
Keywords