Codes, language, information theory

In summary, the Information Theory and Cybernetics and the perspective of some physicists, such as Schrödinger, had a major influence on the development of Molecular Genetics. This approach has shown its potential in explaining biological and medical problems, but the practical results have not yet met the early expectations. It is possible that a different theoretical framework, more physical and holistic, is needed to advance the field. However, there are already promising developments in using molecular genetics for medical treatments, such as gene and stem cell therapies.
  • #1
ryokan
252
5
The Information Theory and Cybernetics (Shannon, Wiener) and the perspective of some physicists (Schrödinger) was very influential on the development of Molecular Genetics.

The molecular genetic approach showed its power to explain a lot of biological and medical problems, from evolution mechanisms to human diseases, but the practical results secondary to the the great projects as the Human Genome Project and derived projects (Encode, HapMap...), seem to be very far of the early hopes centered on health prevalent problems (cancer, degenerative diseases and so on)

It is possible that the conventional context, yet based in an informative conception of life (DNA as a software) and a reductionist, mainly biochemical, approach, need to be changed by other theoretical frame, probably more physical than biochemical and more holistic than reductionnistic.

What do you think?
 
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  • #2
ryokan said:
It is possible that the conventional context, yet based in an informative conception of life (DNA as a software) and a reductionist, mainly biochemical, approach, need to be changed by other theoretical frame, probably more physical than biochemical and more holistic than reductionnistic.

Yes, this has been a major theme within theoretical biology. You can google the work of Howard Pattee, Stan Salthe and Robert Rosen in particular.

The key idea is here is not how to replace one notion of causality (ie: computational mechanism or code) with another. But in fact the necessity of an interaction between two worlds - the code and the self-organising. So the deep framework is a combination of two frameworks (hierarchically arranged).

Pattee called the distinction the epistemic cut. Rosen called it MR systems - a division between metabolism and replication (or repair).

Salthe has made a connection to Prigogine's dissipative structure theory and also to Peircean semiotics (and googling biosemiosis will link to that currently lively community), as well as coining his own infodynamics approach.

Another now widely recognised distinction is between evolution (code) and development (self-organisation) - hence evo-devo.

This is a good collection of Pattee oriented papers...
http://informatics.indiana.edu/rocha/pattee/

And a paper on infodynamics by Salthe...
http://113.212.161.150/elibrary/Library/Social_Evolutionary/Salthe_Ecology.pdf
 
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  • #3
ryokan said:
The Information Theory and Cybernetics (Shannon, Wiener) and the perspective of some physicists (Schrödinger) was very influential on the development of Molecular Genetics.

The molecular genetic approach showed its power to explain a lot of biological and medical problems, from evolution mechanisms to human diseases, but the practical results secondary to the the great projects as the Human Genome Project and derived projects (Encode, HapMap...), seem to be very far of the early hopes centered on health prevalent problems (cancer, degenerative diseases and so on)

It is possible that the conventional context, yet based in an informative conception of life (DNA as a software) and a reductionist, mainly biochemical, approach, need to be changed by other theoretical frame, probably more physical than biochemical and more holistic than reductionnistic.

What do you think?
Not at all, the future is here! We can take something like a tumor necrosis factor ligand expressed on cytotoxic T-cells from a patient who's leukocytes are very good at fighting cancer, tag them to artificial gene with a strong promoter, insert it into the leukocytes of someone dying of melanoma, grow those up in the lab and then transplant them back into the patient. The idea being, the hybrid leukocytes will have increased cancer killing power.

Just such a thing has been done already, http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2006/melanomagenetherapy" . And has successfully treated advanced staged melanomas. You can go here; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct", and see there are over 3,000 stem cell therapies under clinical trial and over 2,500 gene therapies under clinical trials.

Certainly it's still early in the game, but results of the molecular genetics "enlightenment" are here and underway now. And in our lifetimes (well I don't know how you are) the advanced gene therapies will be spectacular!Edit: Also, just the other day I saw something about the first successful gene therapy for a B-Thalassemia. I'll dig it up if you're interested.
 
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FAQ: Codes, language, information theory

What is the relationship between codes, language, and information theory?

The fields of codes, language, and information theory are closely related. Codes are used to represent information in a systematic way, while language is a complex system of communication that utilizes codes. Information theory studies the quantification, storage, and communication of information, including how codes and language transmit information.

How do codes and language convey meaning?

Codes and language both use symbols and rules to represent and communicate meaning. In codes, symbols are assigned to specific pieces of information, while language uses a set of rules to combine words and phrases to convey meaning. Both codes and language rely on shared understanding and context to effectively convey meaning.

What is the difference between a code and a language?

A code is a system of symbols that represent information, while language is a complex system of communication that utilizes codes. Codes are often used for specific purposes, such as encryption or data compression, while language is a tool for everyday communication. Additionally, codes are often more structured and limited in their use compared to the flexibility and complexity of language.

How is information measured and analyzed in information theory?

Information theory uses mathematical models to quantify and analyze information. The most common measure of information is the amount of uncertainty or randomness in a message, which is measured in bits. Other measures include the amount of data that can be transmitted through a channel and the efficiency of a code in transmitting information.

What are the practical applications of information theory?

Information theory has many practical applications, including data compression, error correction, and cryptography. It is also used in fields such as computer science, telecommunications, and neuroscience to understand and improve communication systems. Additionally, information theory has been applied to the study of biology and genetics, as these systems also rely on the transmission and processing of information.

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