A possible information entropic law of genetic mutations

Melvin Vopson

doi:10.3390/app12146912

A possible information entropic law of genetic mutations

Melvin Vopson

School of Mathematics & Physics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

The current scientific consensus is that genetic mutations are random processes. According to the Darwinian theory of evolution, only natural selection determines which mutations are beneficial in the course of evolution, and there is no deterministic correlation between any parameter and the probability that these mutations will occur or not. Here we investigate RNA genetic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using Shannon’s information theory and we report a previously unobserved relationship between the information entropy of genomes and their mutation dynamics. Based on the analysis presented here we are able to formulate a governing law of genetic mutations, stating that genomes undergo genetic mutations over time driven by a tendency to reduce their overall information entropy, challenging the existing Darwinian paradigm.

Original language	English
Article number	6912
Number of pages	8
Journal	Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
Volume	12
Issue number	14
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/app12146912
Publication status	Published - 8 Jul 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

entropy of information
information theory
genetic mutations
law of genetic mutations

Access to Document

10.3390/app12146912Licence: CC BY

A possible information entropic law of genetic mutations PDFFinal published version, 1.01 MBLicence: CC BY

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/14/6912

11 Citations
3 Article
1 Editorial
1 Working paper

Can information and entropic dynamics bridge the gap between biology and the physical sciences?
Summers , R. L. & Vopson, M., 20 Mar 2026, In: Entropy. 28, 349, 3 p., 349.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

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3 Downloads (Pure)
The second law of infodynamics and its implications for the simulated universe hypothesis
Vopson, M., 6 Oct 2023, In: AIP Advances. 13, 10, 15 p., 105308.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
446 Downloads (Pure)
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 genetic mutations and their information entropy
Vopson, M., 14 Jun 2022, bioRxiv, p. 1-6, 6 p.
Research output: Working paper

Open Access
File
100 Downloads (Pure)
Second law of information dynamics
Vopson, M. & Lepadatu, S., 11 Jul 2022, In: AIP Advances. 12, 7, 6 p., 075310.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
757 Downloads (Pure)
A new method to study genome mutations using the information entropy
Vopson, M. & Robson, S., 15 Dec 2021, In: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications. 584, 9 p., 126383.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
136 Downloads (Pure)

GENIES: Mapping the information entropy spectrum of genomes
Vopson, M. (PI) & Robson, S. (CoI)
1/05/20 → …
Project: Research

File
Applications of Information Theory to fundamental Physics
Vopson, M. (PI) & Robson, S. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
3/06/19 → …
Project: Research

Information Physics Institute (External organisation)
Vopson, M. (Chair), Vopson, A. (Chair) & Lepadatu, S. (Member)
15 Sept 2022
Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
Applied Sciences (Switzerland) (Journal)
Vopson, M. (Guest editor) & Joo, J. (Guest editor)
1 Jul 2021 → 31 Dec 2021
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity

Could a mathematical application of information theory identify and predict SARS-CoV-2 mutations?
Vopson, M.
31/05/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research cited

Cite this

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abstract = "The current scientific consensus is that genetic mutations are random processes. According to the Darwinian theory of evolution, only natural selection determines which mutations are beneficial in the course of evolution, and there is no deterministic correlation between any parameter and the probability that these mutations will occur or not. Here we investigate RNA genetic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using Shannon{\textquoteright}s information theory and we report a previously unobserved relationship between the information entropy of genomes and their mutation dynamics. Based on the analysis presented here we are able to formulate a governing law of genetic mutations, stating that genomes undergo genetic mutations over time driven by a tendency to reduce their overall information entropy, challenging the existing Darwinian paradigm. ",

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A possible information entropic law of genetic mutations

Abstract

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Cite this