Information Theory, Evolution, and the Origin of Life

[Devils Advocaat]

I have just acquired this book by Hubert P. Yockey.

And I have to admit some of it is a bit beyond me.

Can someone suggest a simple introduction to information theory, how
probability comes into it, and how it relates to biology?

[Ivan Erill]

I have one online ([1]http://research.umbc.edu/~eril l/4080/), Tom
Schneider has also a very good primer ([2]http://www-lmmb.ncif crf.gov/~toms/paper/primer/) and Christoph Adami's paper
([3]http://arxiv. org/PS_cache/q-bio/pdf/0405/0405004v1.pdf) also
prodives a good introduction.



Hope this helps and good luck with Jockey (it is indeed way beyond
most of us).



Regards,



Ivan Erill

> _______________________________________________ Bio-info mailing

> list Bio-...@net.bio.net [4]http://www.bio.net/biomail/l istinfo/bio-

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References

1. 3D"http://research.umbc.edu/~erill/4080/"
2. 3D"http://www-lmmb.ncifcrf.gov/~toms/paper/primer/"
3. 3D"http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/q-bio/pdf/0405/0405004v1.pdf"
4. 3D"http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/bio"

[Chris Aldrich]

Ivan's suggestions are excellent, but you might also try the following introductory books:

Touchstone of Life: Molecular Information Cell Communication, and the Foundations of Life by Werner R Loewenstein. It gives a fairly broad overview, particularly from the biology perspective though it doesn't get into the probability theory you may be looking for.

Information Theory and Evolution by John Avery

The area is interesting, but functioning in it with high facility requires significant knowledge of chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, evolution, physics, thermodynamics, probability theory, statistics, and naturally information theory. Tackle them one at a time with patience.