Collective evolution and the genetic code
Populations and Evolution
2009-11-13 v1 Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Abstract
A dynamical theory for the evolution of the genetic code is presented, which accounts for its universality and optimality. The central concept is that a variety of collective, but non-Darwinian, mechanisms likely to be present in early communal life generically lead to refinement and selection of innovation-sharing protocols, such as the genetic code. Our proposal is illustrated using a simplified computer model, and placed within the context of a sequence of transitions that early life may have made, prior to the emergence of vertical descent.
Cite
@article{arxiv.q-bio/0605036,
title = {Collective evolution and the genetic code},
author = {Kalin Vetsigian and Carl Woese and Nigel Goldenfeld},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:q-bio/0605036},
year = {2009}
}