Principle of Recursive Genome Function Supersedes Dogmas; By Andras Pellionisz
Roger Bagula
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http://www.prweb.com/releases/genomics/biotechnology/prweb1102764.htm
Principle of Recursive Genome Function Supersedes Dogmas; By Andras
Pellionisz, Online Ahead of Print; (Scientific Visionary Vindicated)
A Eureka Moment concerning the fractal character of neurons led in turn
to a novel picture of genomics where protein structures act back
recursively upon their DNA code -- in outright contradiction to
prevailing orthodoxy. A household name in neuroscience for his tensor
network theory, Dr. András Pellionisz has recently had another
far-reaching discovery borne out. This insight has now received striking
confirmation in stunning results from the new field of epigenetics --
promising a whole raft of novel medical diagnoses and therapies.
Sunnyvale, Calif. (PRWEB) July 16, 2008 -- A landmark article on "The
Principle of Recursive Genome Function" (received December 7, accepted
December 18, 2007) by András J. Pellionisz appears online in Springer's
e-Journal Cerebellum.
The paper marks the first anniversary of an historic event--the release
of pilot results for ENCODE, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements project.
Building on the results of the Human Genome Project, the ENCODE effort
revealed a far more complex DNA coding sequence than was ever previously
imagined. "There's a lot more going on than we thought," said Collins,
who is director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
Dr. Collins issued a mandate a year ago "the scientific community will
need to rethink some long-held views".
There's a lot more going on than we thought
A happy few did not need to rethink either the "central dogma of
molecular biology" (Crick, 1956) or the misnomer of "junk" DNA (Ohno
1972), since they never believed them in the first place. The dictum
claiming that a flow of information from proteins back to DNA "never
happens" or the idea that 98.7% of the human genome should be
disregarded as junk was never very believable.
As a direct response to Dr. Collins' call, the principle of recursive
genome function (PRGF) in one stroke sweeps away two dogmas which
prevailed for over 50 years concerning the function of the double helix.
Recursive genome function is a process whereby proteins iteratively
access information packets of DNA to build hierarchies of more complex
protein structures. Such recursive development is illustrated in the
fractal growth of cerebellar Purkinje neuron.
http://www.junkdna.com/pellionisz_principle
http://www.junkdna.com/pellionisz_principle
Starting from a primary information packet, a Y-shaped, fractal protein
template is constructed by a "forward growth" process - in accord with
the traditional picture - via transcription of DNA to RNA (where, in
turn, RNA builds nucleic acids up into structural protein). In the
course of constructing the Y-shaped template, the primary gene is turned
on. Thus, the most primitive part of the process retains Watson's
simplified scheme. The principle does not contradict the 'DNA makes RNA
makes proteins' picture, but rather goes beyond it - dispensing with
both the hitherto forbidden feedback mechanism as well as the entire
notion of junk DNA.
On the contrary, the genetically crucial process known as methylation
demonstrates just such a "backward" flow. In a stunning reversal of
long-held views, it now appears that environmental influences can act
directly on the genetic code. Moreover, methylation of DNA is not merely
epigenetic, but HoloGenomic:
Dr. Alexandre Akoulitchev, Oxford University, UK (not involved in the
study) says: "The PRGF of Pellionisz is helping not only his recursive
algorithmic approach to the genome (FractoGene), but puts the various
meanings of 'epigenetics' into the perspective of clearly defined novel
axioms. The PostModern Age of Genomics (starting with his
PostGenetics.org), synthesizes inconsistent interpretations and
haphazard notions of "epigenetics" into a solid scientific foundation of
HoloGenomics."
Leroy Hood (2003) and finally Richard Dawkins (2008) have suggested that
genomics is now a branch of information science. With modern genomics
becoming postmodern genome informatics, a natural question arises: What
axioms will take the place of outmoded assumptions?
The traditional axioms could not put to a dignified rest because, as the
wisdom has it, "data never kill theories, only better theory can kill
less tenable theories."
The principle of recursive genome function addresses this fundamental,
decisive role. The time has come to go public, after more than a decade
of clandestine work - not even asking for support.
András Pellionisz is a biophysicist, formerly of New York University.
Since heading up HelixoMetry in Silicon Valley, he has been busy
assembling a portfolio in anticipation of the time when the imposing
dogmas and their bulwarks would give way. A widely published author,
Pellionisz remained largely silent for 15 years to spare him a collision
with the powers that were.
His pioneering work in biological neural networks, aired in over a
hundred publications, won him both NIH support and recognition by way of
the Alexander von Humboldt Prize for Senior Distinguished American
Scientists.
When Pellionisz also made a bold step and published his research on the
fractal geometry of cellular development based on a recursive DNA paths
(1989), his next NIH application was overlooked by his peers and the
establishment maintained a double lock on genomics. Their ideology was:
Don't look back on DNA, since recursion can "never happen" and even if
you would, "there is only junk."
As a scientist with his first degree in engineering, he developed a
neural net application for NASA, using the parallel computers of the
time (so-called Transputers).
By 2005 fundamental problems with underlying axioms of genomics became
too obvious. Meanwhile, millions, if not hundreds of millions were dying
of junk DNA diseases while 98.7% of the human DNA was officially still
considered untouchable.
Together with his fellow pioneers, Dr. Pellionisz launched the trial
balloon of International PostGenetics Society. Indeed, almost a year
ahead of disclosing the official conclusions of ENCODE that "junk" DNA
is anything but, the IPGS became the first organization to officially
abandon the misnomer at its European Inaugural in 2006. At that meeting,
Pellionisz pioneered the approach of diagnosis (leading to therapy and
eventual cure) of junk DNA diseases caused by fractal defects in genomic
regulatory sequences.
In late 2006 a manuscript attempting to close the chapter on junk DNA
was co-authored by 20 Founders of IPGS. Those suffering from "junk DNA
diseases" probably wish that the manuscript was given the benefit of a
peer-review.
Instead, the mounting pressure caused publication of ENCODE results 3
months earlier than planned. Thirty major papers shredded long-held
views and printed staggering statements such as "the concept of genes is
a myth." A deafening silence ensued.
Rather than heeding advice of Dr. Collins of "re-thinking long-held
beliefs" research went "genome-wide" for more data, as next-generation
sequencing made the entire genome of many species (including humans)
available with rapidly melting price tag.
Application of brute force to turn out more data instead of revising
axioms created its own problems, however. A dreaded DNA data deluge
looms large. Without a combination of algorithmic reduction as well as
building the proper computing architecture, the brute force approach of
full genome sequencing and genome-wide analysis have already hit a
compute- and data-wall.
The old bottleneck "get info" (sequencing to obtain data). The new
bottleneck is "use info" (understanding what sequenced data mean). The
promise inherent in the Principle is that an algorithmic reduction
delivers us an understanding of physiological and therefore pathological
genome function in a new light. This clears the road for rapid
advancement beyond a long-overdue breakthrough. In HoloGenomics, all,
including non-genic conditions can now be focused upon. This is the
direct response to consumers, including those who are not even patients.
For those impatient enough to prevent some undesirable conditions, the
principle opens an opportunity.
PRESS CONTACT:
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