Entropy Perspectives of Molecular and Evolutionary Biology

Bioimpedance formalism: A new approach for accessing the health status of cell and tissues

This manuscript describes a novel methodology for studying relaxation dynamics in tissues and cells using characteristic frequency of bioimpedance spectroscopy measurements. The Bioimpedance Formalism allows for the simultaneous study of bioelectrical parameters in the frequency and time domains, providing insight into possible relaxation processes occurring in the tissue or cell of interest. Results from the Cole-Cole analysis showed no multiple relaxation processes associated with heterogeneity, with a visible age group separation in males compared with females. The study of the relaxation dynamic in the time domain revealed that the β parameter can be used to analyse the charge carriers in tissues, cells, or cancer cells, potentially leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer and other diseases. Overall, this approach presents a promising area of research for gaining insights into the electrical properties of tissues and cells using bioimpedance methods.

Principles of Molecular Evolution: Concepts from Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics for the Multilevel Theory of Learning

We present a non-equilibrium thermodynamics approach to the multilevel theory of learning for the study of molecular evolution. This approach allows us to study the explicit time dependence of molecular evolutionary processes and their impact on entropy production. Interpreting the mathematical expressions, we can show that two main contributions affect entropy production of molecular evolution processes which can be identified as mutation and gene transfer effects. Accordingly, our results show that the optimal adaptation of organisms to external conditions in the context of evolutionary processes is driven by principles of minimum entropy production. Such results can also be interpreted as the basis of some previous postulates of the theory of learning. Although our macroscopic approach requires certain simplifications, it allows us to interpret molecular evolutionary processes using thermodynamic descriptions with reference to well-known biological processes.

Dissipative scaling of development and aging in multicellular organisms

Evolution, self-replication and ontogenesis are highly dynamic, irreversible and self-organizing processes dissipating energy. While progress has been made to decipher the role of thermodynamics in cellular fission, it is not yet clear how entropic balances shape organism growth and aging. This paper derives a general dissipation theory for the life history of organisms. It implies a self-regulated energy dissipation facilitating exponential growth within a hierarchical and entropy lowering self-organization. The theory predicts ceilings in energy expenditures imposed by geometric constrains, which promote thermal optimality during development, and a dissipative scaling across organisms consistent with ecological scaling laws combining isometric and allometric terms. The theory also illustrates how growing organisms can tolerate damage through continuous extension and production of new dissipative structures low in entropy. However, when organisms reduce their rate of cell division and reach a steady adult state, they become thermodynamically unstable, increase internal entropy by accumulating damage, and age.

CuZn Complex Used in Electrical Biosensors for Drug Delivery Systems

This paper is to discuss the potential of using CuZn in an electrical biosensor drug carrier for drug delivery systems. CuZn is the main semiconductor ingredient that has great promise as an electrochemical detector to trigger releases of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). This CuZn biosensor is produced with a green metal of frameworks, which is an anion node in conductive polymers linked by bioactive ligands using metal-polymerisation technology. The studies of Cu, Zn, and their oxides are highlighted by their electrochemical performance as electrical biosensors to electrically trigger API. The three main problems, which are glucose oxidisation, binding affinity, and toxicity, are highlighted, and their solutions are given. Moreover, their biocompatibilities, therapeutic efficacies, and drug delivery efficiencies are discussed with details given. Our three previous investigations of CuZn found results similar to those of other authors' in terms of multiphases, polymerisation, and structure. This affirms that our research is on the right track, especially that related to green synthesis using plant extract, CuZn as a nanochip electric biosensor, and bioactive ligands to bind API, which are limited to the innermost circle of the non-enzymatic glucose sensor category.

Historical perspective of tumor glycolysis: A century with Otto Warburg

Tumors have long been known to rewire their metabolism to endorse their proliferation, growth, survival, and invasiveness. One of the common characteristics of these alterations is the enhanced glucose uptake and its subsequent transformation into lactic acid by means of glycolysis, regardless the availability of oxygen or the mitochondria effectiveness. This phenomenon is called the "Warburg effect", which has turned into a century of age now, since its first disclosure by German physiologist Otto Heinrich Warburg. Since then, this peculiar metabolic switch in tumors has been addressed by extensive studies covering several areas of research. In this historical perspective, we aim at illustrating the evolution of these studies over time and their implication in various fields of science.