Skip to main content

Dynamical Aspects of Information in Copolymerization Processes

  • Conference paper
Proceedings of the European Conference on Complex Systems 2012

Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Complexity ((SPCOM))

Abstract

Natural supports of information are given by random copolymers such as DNA or RNA where information is coded in the sequence of covalent bonds. At the molecular scale, the stochastic growth of a single copolymer with or without a template proceeds by successive random attachments or detachments of monomers continuously supplied by the surrounding solution. The thermodynamics of copolymerization shows that fundamental links already exist between information and thermodynamics at the molecular scale, which opens new perspectives to understand the dynamical aspects of information in biology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Andrieux D, Gaspard P (2008) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:9516

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Jarzynski C (2008) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:9451

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Andrieux D, Gaspard P (2009) J Chem Phys 130:014901

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Gaspard P (2012) Self-organization at the nanoscale scale in far-from-equilibrium surface reactions and copolymerizations. In: Mikhailov AS, Ertl G (eds) Proceedings of the International Conference “Engineering of Chemical Complexity”, Berlin Center for Studies of Complex Chemical Systems, July 4–8, 2011. World Scientific, Singapore, pp 4–8. doi:10.1142/9789814390460_0003. ISBN 978-981-4390-45-3

    Google Scholar 

  5. Schrödinger E (1944) What is life? Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bennett CH (1979) Biosystems 11:85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Greenleaf WJ, Block SM (2006) Science 313:801

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Eid J et al. (2009) Science 323:133

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Uemura S, Echeverría Aitken C, Korlach J, Flusberg BA, Turner SW, Puglisi JD (2010) Nature 464:1012

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Eigen M (1992) Steps towards life: a perspective on evolution. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  11. Eigen M, Schuster P (1977) Naturwissenschaften 64:541. Ibid, 65:7 (1978). Ibid, 65:341 (1978)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Woo H-J, Wallqvist A (2011) Phys Rev Lett 106:060601

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is financially supported by the Belgian Federal Government (BELSPO), the Communauté française de Belgique, and the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pierre Gaspard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Gaspard, P. (2013). Dynamical Aspects of Information in Copolymerization Processes. In: Gilbert, T., Kirkilionis, M., Nicolis, G. (eds) Proceedings of the European Conference on Complex Systems 2012. Springer Proceedings in Complexity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00395-5_58

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics