Feb 1, 2025 02:17 AM
(This post was last modified: Feb 1, 2025 02:17 AM by C C.)
https://bioengineer.org/life-as-a-multis...-machines/
INTRO: What is life? This question has perplexed scientists and philosophers alike for centuries, encapsulating the complex reality of biological existence. In a groundbreaking study, researchers Tsvi Tlusty from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea and Albert Libchaber from Rockefeller University in New York propose an innovative conceptual framework to navigate this vast complexity. They assert that living matter can be perceived as a cascade of machines producing machines, each level of this cascade contributing to the intricate tapestry of life.
The researchers describe the cellular structure as a series of smaller, interdependent submachines that work in concert with larger systems. At the most fundamental level, these submachines operate at the atomic scale, involving molecular machines such as enzymes and ion pumps, which perform essential life functions. As we move upward through the cascade, these cells self-organize, forming larger and more complex systems, from tissues and organs to entire populations that populate the biosphere.
This revolutionary perspective has roots in historical thought, notably drawing inspiration from the polymath Gottfried Leibniz, who asserted that the machines of nature—essentially living beings—are composed of machines down to the infinitesimal level. The relevance of Leibniz’s insight echoes in today’s scientific inquiry, where understanding the foundational building blocks of life assists in unraveling greater mysteries.
Within their research, Tlusty and Libchaber have formulated a simplified language to characterize living matter as an almost infinite dual cascade, spanning an astonishing eighteen orders of magnitude in spatial dimensions and thirty orders of magnitude in terms of time. This broad framework allows for a convergence at a critical point situated at 1 micron and 1,000 seconds, reflecting the typical scales observed in microbial life. This convergence is pivotal, serving as the point at which the smaller submachines interact with their larger counterparts.
Most intriguing is the identification of this critical point as a fundamental requirement for self-replicating systems to function effectively within salty aqueous environments. This discovery might elucidate the transition from the construction of minimal self-replicating machines to intricate communities—or societies—of such entities, ultimately laying the groundwork for the emergence of comprehensive biospheres. This evolutionary leap marks a crucial moment in the trajectory of life, offering significant insight into its origins, mechanisms, and future.
In articulating these ideas, Professor Tlusty indicates that such theoretical frameworks are not just advantageous but necessary for the advancement of life science. He emphasizes the need for mathematical structures that encapsulate the essential qualities of life, thus moving towards a comprehensive theory that could explain the phenomena of living systems more elegantly and efficiently... (MORE - details)
INTRO: What is life? This question has perplexed scientists and philosophers alike for centuries, encapsulating the complex reality of biological existence. In a groundbreaking study, researchers Tsvi Tlusty from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea and Albert Libchaber from Rockefeller University in New York propose an innovative conceptual framework to navigate this vast complexity. They assert that living matter can be perceived as a cascade of machines producing machines, each level of this cascade contributing to the intricate tapestry of life.
The researchers describe the cellular structure as a series of smaller, interdependent submachines that work in concert with larger systems. At the most fundamental level, these submachines operate at the atomic scale, involving molecular machines such as enzymes and ion pumps, which perform essential life functions. As we move upward through the cascade, these cells self-organize, forming larger and more complex systems, from tissues and organs to entire populations that populate the biosphere.
This revolutionary perspective has roots in historical thought, notably drawing inspiration from the polymath Gottfried Leibniz, who asserted that the machines of nature—essentially living beings—are composed of machines down to the infinitesimal level. The relevance of Leibniz’s insight echoes in today’s scientific inquiry, where understanding the foundational building blocks of life assists in unraveling greater mysteries.
Within their research, Tlusty and Libchaber have formulated a simplified language to characterize living matter as an almost infinite dual cascade, spanning an astonishing eighteen orders of magnitude in spatial dimensions and thirty orders of magnitude in terms of time. This broad framework allows for a convergence at a critical point situated at 1 micron and 1,000 seconds, reflecting the typical scales observed in microbial life. This convergence is pivotal, serving as the point at which the smaller submachines interact with their larger counterparts.
Most intriguing is the identification of this critical point as a fundamental requirement for self-replicating systems to function effectively within salty aqueous environments. This discovery might elucidate the transition from the construction of minimal self-replicating machines to intricate communities—or societies—of such entities, ultimately laying the groundwork for the emergence of comprehensive biospheres. This evolutionary leap marks a crucial moment in the trajectory of life, offering significant insight into its origins, mechanisms, and future.
In articulating these ideas, Professor Tlusty indicates that such theoretical frameworks are not just advantageous but necessary for the advancement of life science. He emphasizes the need for mathematical structures that encapsulate the essential qualities of life, thus moving towards a comprehensive theory that could explain the phenomena of living systems more elegantly and efficiently... (MORE - details)