While certainly amplification of specific subpopulations holding a
competitive advantage may be involved in these effects, I am wondering
if typical mutation rate of say 10(-6)/generations would be sufficient
to overtake of batch culture growing a rich broth from an incoculum of
say 1%. This would only represent some 6-8 generations in most cases.
Subsequent re-subculturings might lead to more of this type of clonal
amplificiation, but I'm not sure if it would be the major cause of
such effects with the first or even second or third subculture.
Anyone have a better idea of the mathematics of "attentuation"?
Please continue,
Jim
J. Graham PhD
Biology Department
Washington University of St. Louis
