TY - JOUR TI - The meanings of 'function' in biology and the problematic case of de novo gene emergence AU - Keeling, Diane Marie AU - Garza, Patricia AU - Nartey, Charisse Michelle AU - Carvunis, Anne-Ruxandra A2 - Rodgers, Peter A2 - Doolittle, Ford A2 - Roux, Etienne A2 - Cagle, Lauren VL - 8 PY - 2019 DA - 2019/11/01 SP - e47014 C1 - eLife 2019;8:e47014 DO - 10.7554/eLife.47014 UR - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.47014 AB - The word function has many different meanings in molecular biology. Here we explore the use of this word (and derivatives like functional) in research papers about de novo gene birth. Based on an analysis of 20 abstracts we propose a simple lexicon that, we believe, will help scientists and philosophers discuss the meaning of function more clearly. KW - function KW - rhetoric KW - de novo gene birth KW - philosophy of science KW - philosophy of biology JF - eLife SN - 2050-084X PB - eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd ER -