Advances in Computational Biology: A Real Boost or a Wishful Thinking

TL;DR

The paper explores the evolving paradigm in computational biology from data-centric to information-centric approaches, clarifying the concepts of physical and semantic information and their implications for the field.

Contribution

It introduces the notions of physical and semantic information, providing a clearer understanding of 'information' in computational biology and addressing a key conceptual barrier.

Findings

Clarification of 'physical information' and 'semantic information' concepts

Implications of the information paradigm shift discussed

Highlights the need for better understanding of 'information' in biology

Abstract

Computational biology is on the verge of a paradigm shift in its research practice - from a data-based (computational) paradigm to an information-based (cognitive) paradigm. As in the other research fields, this transition is impeded by lack of a right understanding about what is actually hidden behind the term "information". The paper is intended to clarify this issue and introduces two new notions of "physical information" and "semantic information", which together constitute the term "information". Some implications of this introduction are considered.