title: DNA as information: at the crossroads between biology, mathematics, physics and chemistry.
abstract: On the one hand, biology, chemistry and also physics tell us how the process of translating the genetic information into life could possibly work, but we are still very far from a complete understanding of this process. On the other hand, mathematics and statistics give us methods to describe such natural systems-or parts of them-within a theoretical framework. Also, they provide us with hints and predictions that can be tested at the experimental level. Furthermore, there are peculiar aspects of the management of genetic information that are intimately related to information theory and communication theory. This theme issue is aimed at fostering the discussion on the problem of genetic coding and information through the presentation of different innovative points of view. The aim of the editors is to stimulate discussions and scientific exchange that will lead to new research on why and how life can exist from the point of view of the coding and decoding of genetic information. The present introduction represents the point of view of the editors on the main aspects that could be the subject of future scientific debate.
authors: Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada, Armilla, 18100 Granada, Spain Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain julyan.cartwright@csic.es.
authors: Julyan H E
authors: 0000-0001-7392-0957
authors: JH
authors: Cartwright
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche 'Paolo Fortunati', Universitá di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy simone.giannerini@unibo.it.
authors: Simone
authors: 0000-0002-0710-668X
authors: S
authors: Giannerini
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche 'Paolo Fortunati', Universitá di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy Istituto IMM-CNR, Area della Ricerca CNR di Bologna, 40129 Bologna, Italy gonzalez@bo.imm.cnr.it.
authors: Diego L
authors: 0000-0001-9646-9900
authors: DL
authors: González
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology; D002621:Chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008433:Mathematics; D010825:Physics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA; genetic code; genomics; information; life