Evolutionary robustness

C.K. 1988 New information from the Swartkrans cave of relevance to robust australop-ithecines. In Grine, F.E., ed.. Evolutionary History of the Robust Australopithecines. New York, Aldine de Gruyter 405 26. 

The evolution of cooperation is frequently analysed in terms of the repeated Prisoner s Dilemma game. Computer simulations show that the emergence of cooperation is a robust phenomenon. However, the strategy which eventually gets adopted in the population seems to depend sensitively on fine details of the modelling process, so that it becomes difficult to predict the evolutionary outcome in real populations. 

The myrosinase-glucosinolate system occurs in 16 plant families.17 It is likely that this system evolved from the ancient (and near ubiquitous) cyanogenic glycosides. This hypothesis is supported by the similarity, in sequence and structure, of glucosinolate biosynthetic enzymes and the hydrolytic enzymes (myrosinase or p-glucosidase).18 The biochemistry of these metabolites also indicates a convincing evolutionary relationship.19 Furthermore, on the basis of robust phylogenetic trees,... 

Evolutionary designs were devised by Dixon and Armitage. Although the statistical analysis is rather different, they have the same objective, which is to detect a treatment effect at the earliest moment possible, using the fewest possible patients, while retaining statistical robustness. Both types are suited for exploratory clinical research and diseases which are rare. 

Yang, J.-M., Kao, C.-Y. Flexible ligand docking using a robust evolutionary algorithm. J. Comput. Chem. 2000, 21, 988-998. 

As a general rule one tries to become gradually cleaner and more consistent/robust with forthcoming batches. However, to become cleaner may have a strong impact on the properties relevant to the formulation principle chosen for drug product. It is therefore very important to involve both disciplines (Chemical and Pharmaceutical development) in this evolutionary decision-making process... 

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