A simple model for the evolution of molecular codes driven by the interplay of accuracy, diversity and cost

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple model for the evolution of molecular codes as noisy information channels, balancing accuracy, diversity, and cost to explain how molecular languages emerge and evolve.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, minimalistic model linking molecular code evolution to information theory and statistical physics, providing insights into the emergence of molecular languages.

Findings

Optimal codes balance accuracy, diversity, and cost.

Evolutionary parameters influence code emergence.

Model is equivalent to a mean-field Ising magnet.

Abstract

Molecular codes translate information written in one type of molecules into another molecular language. We introduce a simple model that treats molecular codes as noisy information channels. An optimal code is a channel that conveys information accurately and efficiently while keeping down the impact of errors. The equipoise of the three conflicting needs, for minimal error-load, minimal cost of resources and maximal diversity of vocabulary, defines the fitness of the code. The model suggests a mechanism for the emergence of a code when evolution varies the parameters that control this equipoise and the mapping between the two molecular languages becomes non-random. This mechanism is demonstrated by a simple toy model that is formally equivalent to a mean-field Ising magnet.