It has been argued that the historical nature of evolution makes it a highly path-dependent process. Under this view, the outcome of evolutionary dynamics could have resulted in organisms with different forms and functions. At the same time, there is ample evidence that convergence and constraints strongly limit the domain of the potential design principles that evolution can achieve. Are these limitations relevant in shaping the fabric of the possible? Here, we argue that fundamental constraints are associated with the logic of living matter. We illustrate this idea by considering the thermodynamic properties of living systems, the linear nature of molecular information, the cellular nature of the building blocks of life, multicellularity and development, the threshold nature of computations in cognitive systems and the discrete nature of the architecture of ecosystems. In all these examples, we present available evidence and suggest potential avenues towards a well-defined theoretical formulation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11503024 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2024.0010 | DOI Listing |
Luminescence
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Bioluminescence inhibition (BLI) measurements in bioluminescent bacteria (BB) is perceived as a potential qualitative and quantitative indicator of hazardous materials. Acute but minor fluctuations in osmolarity and pH do not affect the living systems significantly. However, significant BLI is observed from marine BB due to acute osmolarity or pH changes that may affect the bioassay sensitivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Drug Discov Technol
December 2024
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, PushpViharSector-3, M-B Road, New Delhi, 110017, India.
Background: Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) approaches are essential in the drug discovery and development process. Both academic institutions and pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations utilize them to enhance the efficacy of bioactive compounds.
Objective: This study aims to entice researchers by investigating the benefits of Computer-Aided Drug and Design (CADD) and its fundamental principles.
Open Biol
January 2025
Michael Sars Centre, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Maintenance and breeding of experimental organisms are fundamental to life sciences, but both initial and running costs, and hands-on zootechnical demands can be challenging for many laboratories. Here, we first aimed to further develop a simple protocol for reliable inland culture of tunicate model species of the genus. We cultured both and in controlled experimental conditions, with a focus on dietary variables, and quantified growth and maturation parameters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Econ Policy Law
January 2025
Health Systems Program, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
The framework presented in the World Bank report Open and Inclusive: Fair processes for Financing Universal Health Coverage effectively connects proposed decision-making principles with practical examples that country governments can use to pursue greater fairness. In this commentary, we consider the suggestion that international development partners might use the report's criteria to examine their own processes. We consider what the report's primary Fair Process principles - equality, impartiality and consistency - imply for development partners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, South Korea.
Activating the pyroptosis pathway of tumor cells by photodynamic therapy (PDT) for immunogenic cell death (ICD) is considered a valid strategy in pursuit of antitumor immunotherapy, but it remains a huge challenge due to the lack of reliable design guidelines. Moreover, it is often overlooked that conventional PDT can exacerbate the development of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, which is apparently unfavorable to clinical immunotherapy. The endoplasmic reticulum's (ER) pivotal role in cellular homeostasis and its emerging link to pyroptosis have galvanized interest in ER-centric imaging and therapeutics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!