Hardwired and softwired programs in biological contexts

 We can think of cells as running interactive programs.

Much work has been devoted to the role of genetic instructions codified in DNA. As part of it, much focus is in tur devoted to genetic mutations which can change DNA's encoded instructions. On the other hand, recent focus has been made on what is called epigenetics, or the structural modification of DNA structure either by chemical modifications or by interaction with other molecules which changes the way in which the genome is expressed.

During morphogenesis, there ara few instances in which genetic hard wired changes are desirable, but only in a very restrictive way and for specific purposes. One of those in sexual reproduction, and another in the maturation of immune cells. Any other change in genetic expression must be achieved via soft re-wiring. This soft re-wiring is done by cumulative epigenetic modifications and allows the production of distinct phenotypes from otherwise identical DNA templates.

One idea that is well established in developmental biology is the concept of precursor cell. From a statistical physics point of view it can be framed as a trajectory in  the space of  possible genetic states. 

A soft re-wiring in this context can be thought as a transition from one genetic state to an adjacent one in the space of genetic states, or one step through one f the possible trajectories. A hard re-wiring  may imply a change of the space of genetic states. A mutated cell is no longer in the same genetic space as their non-mutated progenitors. This poses the question of whether this is what is going on with mutated cells that become cancerous, and if so how many different ways are there to produce such kind of result. An intuitive answer may be, as many as different kinds of cancers can be identified. Althoug the evidence is strong in favor of genetic mutations, not all cancers must necessarily be the result of genetic mutations. It is possible that some can arise by soft re-wiring.

One last issue arises from the fact that cancers are multicellular phenomena. Tumors are not composed from a single cell type, but from a variety of cells that are in constant interaction. Abnormal behavior in the form of a tumor most likely requires the establishment of a set of abnormal (by kind, timing or both) interactions, which may in turn further abnormal re-wiring of the interacting cells. The change in the space of possible cell states originated by mutation is, in this sense, changing the space of possible tissue states by altering the trajectories on state transitions of non-mutated cells. 

How to assemble a text

 The truth is, I have no idea yet, but I'm going to try anyway.

In the form of a first attempt, I'm going to go for a bunch of notes that hopefully will assemble and make sense a little later.

Yesterday I saw a little video by Rian Stone in which he explains the concept of compounding. As I understand it, the fundamental idea behind is the consistent accumulation of small results makes a big difference in the long run. I guess it works with writing too. In theory, I could write everyday, at least a little and this consistency may, in a best case scenario make a big difference in my writing skills.

Why is this important? Because writing what I know, what i've found and assuming it is from a novel perspective, may be of help to somebody besides myself and thus a contribution to make the world a better place. Or at least keep me busy for a while. 

If writing is a skill, it should share characteristics with all skills, such as the possibility to be mastered by means of practice. If this is the case, what constitutes an effective practice? Maybe just start by doing anything? Perhaps writing stream of consciousness, or daily journalling. 

Trying to make it enjoyable is another interesting aspect. Can I, in some way force myself into enjoying the process of writing? Or are there any writers who hate to write but like the results?

I know the title of this entry is misleading, I don't care. This is an exercise as much as the preceding entries and as much as the following will be. Keep it going.

Scrapbook

 I think I will treat this space as a kind of scrapbook where I collect ideas and hopefully in the end I manage to articulate something useful.

 

Roots of some discontent

 It comes to my mind in cycles. In an out of the blue kind of way these thoughts reappear. I remember specific instances where my ex did shit that I did not agree with. The problem here is, it is not what she was doing, but that I was not doing what I wanted while expecting to get what I needed because I was being a good person. In Dr. Robert Glober's terms, a covert contract. 

Frustration and anger are very useful emotions. Think of them as a sort of alarm that goes off when things are not going the way you expect. As emotions do, thety prompt you to take quick action. I've found that taking them more as suggestions rather than orders is effective because you take a little time to identify what is the anomaly triggering the alarm. What I usually have to do is to adjust my expectations instead of forcing them into the results I'm getting.

Always keep your expectations in check, especially when you are frustrated. It doesn't mean to give up what you want. It means to take the time to understand why you are not getting what you want and adjust your plan in order to get it or at least know if the results are worth the effort.

Emotions

Emotions are powerful in the sense they prompt action. They are the fuel that propels the decision making engine on the mind.

The reason people make stupid decisions is mostly asociated with strong emotions. Impulsiveness is the manifestation of strong emotions.   

On Writing

 Typing is a distinct activity from handwriting. Handwriting is much like drawing, while typing is like playing an instrument. Two very different skills.

I enjoy both.

Exercise in touch typing

 Some time ago, a coleague of mine recommended me to learn to touch type. He is a proffesional programmer and I was learning to program too. 

So, here I am, using gtypist to learn to write faster and without looking at the keyboard.

I'm planning to take advantage of this skill to write a bunch, starting with an article I have to re-take and later if I'm still permitted to, my PhD dissertation.