Evolution of Biomolecular Communication

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Unfolding complexity in the living world requires an evolving biomolecular communication that responds to environments that are internal and external to biological systems. Here I explore the diversity and evolution of macromolecular structures and functions, which are encoded by a molecular-level “vocabulary” of modules. A genomic census of protein structure, ontological terms of molecular functions, and molecular components of ribosomes supports the ideas of gradual growth of complexity, grammar dependency, and statistical laws arising from principles of information compression. Comparative genomic and phylogenomic data are consistent with a biphasic model, in which the first phase that unifies parts of a system is followed by a second phase that diversifies the resulting modules. The predicted emergence of both modularity and hierarchy is supported by tracing the evolution of biological networks. The chronology and organization of evolving networks reveal an evolutionary trend towards optimized economy, flexibility, and robustness in organisms from superkingdoms Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya, and viruses. Results support the proposa l that learning-like processes in evolution occur when biomolecular modules interact or combine with other modules to generate hierarchical layers of genetic “vocabularies” in an entangled network of biocommunication clustered around the ribosome. The evolution of biomolecules is driven by persistence of autonomous agents, which use their previous historical and contextual experiences to adapt to new environments and extend the life of living systems. The proposed theoretical framework integrates the biphasic model, agency in biology, Peirce's triadic semiotic system, Shannon's theory of communication, Chomsky's hierarchy of formal languages, von Neumann's universal constructor, arguments of computational intelligence, and the four-dimensional theory of identity and persistence of perdurantism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPathways to the Origin and Evolution of Meanings in the Universe
PublisherWiley
Pages217-243
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9781119865667
ISBN (Print)9781119865094
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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