These AOPs include rapid adjustment of pupil size, modulation of general activity and endocrine function, and tuning of the phase and period length of the circadian clock to adapt to the light environment (reviewed in [6]).
Clones are normally assumed to be homogeneous but emerging fundamental research in bacteria [25] [28], yeast [29] [34], and more recently mammalian cells [35] [39], has revealed that gene expression can vary significantly between genetically-identical cells, even in a common environment (reviewed in [40], [41]).
Endothelial cells are diverse in function and highly responsive to their extracellular environment (reviewed in [ 3]).
The general consensus is that the stroma triggers neoplastic progression through signals within the stroma environment (reviewed in [ 5, 6]).
More importantly, the affinity of fluorescent probes for Ca2+ can vary depending on the cellular environment (reviewed [ 35]).
Gene expression can also be altered through epigenetic modifications influenced by the environment (reviewed by [ 86- 90]).
Hydrogels are water saturated polymers that can be developed to mimic the three-dimensional physical properties of the host environment (reviewed by [ 229, 230]).
Outbreeding depression can occur either through the disruption of intrinsic interactions between genes or disruption of extrinsic interactions between genes and the environment (reviewed by Edmands 2007).
The RPE cell layer nourishes the adjacent retinal visual cells and, among other functions, serves to transport small molecules to maintain retinal environment (reviewed by [ 34]).
In addition to factors discussed thus far, the composition of the commensal microbiota also depends upon input from the natural environment (reviewed in 10).
It is now recognized that a specific environment is necessary for tumorigenesis; indeed, it has been postulated that cancer can be a physiological response to an abnormal stromal environment (reviewed in [ 8- 11]).
