What is the Origin of Cellular Information Theory?

The theory draws heavily from molecular biology, genetics, and biophysics, extending concepts of information science to the biological realm. It is an evolving framework that seeks to unify the various established hallmarks of aging, such as genomic instability and epigenetic alterations, under a single explanatory principle. The term emphasizes that biological processes are not merely chemical reactions but sophisticated, high-fidelity information processing and transfer events.

What is the Mechanism of Cellular Information Theory?

At the core, the mechanism involves the maintenance of DNA and epigenetic marks, which serve as the cell's essential regulatory instructions. Factors like oxidative stress, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic inflammation can introduce "noise" or "errors" into this system, corrupting the information flow. Interventions derived from this theory aim to activate cellular surveillance and repair pathways, such as DNA repair enzymes and sirtuins, to restore high-fidelity information transfer. This ensures that cells continue to execute their correct programs for tissue maintenance and renewal.

Cellular Information Theory

Meaning

Cellular Information Theory posits that the health, function, and aging trajectory of an organism are fundamentally governed by the integrity and accurate interpretation of the information stored and processed within its cells. This includes the stability of the genome, the fidelity of the epigenome, and the efficiency of protein signaling networks, all of which constitute the cellular operating instructions. Aging is viewed clinically as a progressive loss of this vital cellular information, leading to systemic functional decline and disease susceptibility. The theory provides a critical framework for developing longevity interventions that specifically target informational repair mechanisms.