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LOGIC GATES. ""Computer chip "and-gates," neural "and-gates" and genetic "and-gates" have some genuine similarities. Less elaborate cascades of this kind can also be found in the endocrinological (hormone-using) systems within the body. Here too, informational language can seem naturally applicable, and may be justified by a similar line of argument." https://lnkd.in/eHPWXiJ View in LinkedIn

SIGNAL TRANSDUCTIONS. "Cells must sense extracellular signals and transfer the information contained about their environment reliably to make appropriate decisions. To perform these tasks, cells use signal transduction networks that are subject to various sources of noise. Here, we study the effects on information transfer of two particular types of noise: basal (leaky) network activity and cell-to-cell variability in the componentry of the network." https://lnkd.in/e59geFP View in LinkedIn

FRAGMENT FROM NATURE continues from last weekend with the theme of biological information. Our perception of what constitutes biological information is changing. Previously, we considered genes to be the primary repository of-biological information. But today, we acknowledge that information is everywhere. We are even using information in inert materials to program them to do work. View in LinkedIn

HUGE NUMBER. "Mammalian genomes are chronically “infected” by a huge number of endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs) that spread vertically from one host generation to the next as integrated viral genomes or partial genomes in host chromosomes." https://lnkd.in/b9QHr8w View in LinkedIn

DEFECTIVE CODE. "According to a study published in 2005, no HERVs capable of replication had been identified; all appeared to be defective, containing major deletions or nonsense mutations. This is because most HERVs are merely traces of original viruses, having first integrated millions of years ago." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endogenous_retrovirus View in LinkedIn

VIRAL RECORD. "Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) proviruses comprise a significant part of the human genome, with approximately 98,000 ERV elements and fragments making up 5-8%." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endogenous_retrovirus View in LinkedIn

VIRAL ELEMENTS. "Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are endogenous viral elements in the genome that closely resemble and can be derived from retroviruses. They are abundant in the genomes of jawed vertebrates, and they comprise up to 5–8% of the human genome (lower estimates of ~1%). ERVs are a subclass of a type of gene called a transposon, which can be packaged and moved within the genome to serve a vital role in gene expression and in regulation." https://lnkd.in/bs7fWas View in LinkedIn

LOOSE CODE is one way to describe jumping genes and all these mobile genetic elements which range from parasitic to symbiotic, from autonomous to dependent. This natural menagerie is every bit as bizarre as that found in artificial life zoos. Bring the children, enjoy the spectacle. View in LinkedIn

STRANGE as viruses and their offspring may seem, there is yet another universe of strange bits of viral genetic replication information floating around. These pieces of DNA code include: transposons, endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs), and other exotica in this marvelous freaky zoo. Some are autonomous and self-replicating strands of information. Some are not. View in LinkedIn

RNA SILENCING COMMONALITIES. "The critical common components of the paradigm are that (i) the inducer is the dsRNA, (ii) the target RNA is degraded in a homology-dependent fashion, and...(iii) the degradative machinery requires a set of proteins which are similar in structure and function across most organisms." https://lnkd.in/eity6gi View in LinkedIn