Cells as the first data scientists

Abstract

The concepts that we generally associate with the field of data science are strikingly descriptive of the way that life, in general, processes information about its environment. The ‘information life cycle’, which enumerates the stages of information treatment in data science endeavours, also captures the steps of data collection and handling in biological systems. Similarly, the ‘data–information–knowledge ecosystem’, developed to illuminate the role of informatics in translating raw data into knowledge, can be a framework for understanding how information is constantly being transferred between life and the environment. By placing the principles of data science in a broader biological context, we see the activities of data scientists as the latest development in life's ongoing journey to better understand and predict its environment. Finally, we propose that informatics frameworks can be used to understand the similarities and differences between abiotic complex evolving systems and life.

On the roles of function and selection in evolving systems

“…However, as dynamically persistent systems that do not partake in information processing, stars do not drive increases in their functional information in the same way that life does. The way that information cycles between life and its environment, and between life and itself, may therefore be life’s most distinguishing feature from other phenomena in the universe ( 108 ).…”

Toward Network‐Based Planetary Biosignatures: Atmospheric Chemistry as Unipartite, Unweighted, Undirected Networks

“…Another pillar of living systems is information processing, which includes the transduction of raw internal or external data into “meaningful” information through functional context and causal coupling (Bartlett & Wong, 2020; Fields & Levin, 2020; Wong & Prabhu, 2023). As a global courier of matter and energy, a major player in all biogeochemical cycles, the regulator of climate, and the Earth's interface with exogenous radiation, an enormous amount of meaningful information may flow through the atmosphere at the planetary level (Frank et al., 2022).…”

“…In life, information plays a fundamental role in structuring the flows of matter and energy (Bartlett & Wong, 2020; Walker, 2014; Walker & Davies, 2013; Wong & Prabhu, 2023). Because biological systems exhibit information‐rich structures, it is thought that system complexity can be a metric by which to measure the living state (Bartlett & Beckett, 2019; Bartlett et al., 2022; Walker et al., 2018, 2020).…”

“…However, the science of remote biosignature detection remains incomplete due in large part to a lack of a comprehensive understanding of how life emerges, evolves, and integrates into a planet's geochemical systems. Thus, a major challenge in astrobiology is to develop a theory of life that predicts signatures unique to life and that are universal across planetary contexts.In life, information plays a fundamental role in structuring the flows of matter and energy (Bartlett & Wong, 2020;Walker, 2014;Walker & Davies, 2013;Wong & Prabhu, 2023). Because biological systems exhibit information-rich structures, it is thought that system complexity can be a metric by which to measure the living state (…”

A robust, agnostic molecular biosignature based on machine learning

“…Here, we report research predicated on the hypothesis that deeply rooted aspects of biochemistry differ fundamentally from abiotic chemistry. Unlike molecules in nonliving systems, life’s organic molecular building blocks have been selected for their function, including their ability to store and replicate information, efficiently gather energy and material from the environment, build and maintain their own structures, control their environments, and more ( 1 , 2 ). Synthesizing such biomolecules requires energy and information—precious commodities in a competitive Darwinian world.…”