Modeling Living Systems Based on Open System Far From Equilibrium Thermodynamics

1. Modeling Living Systems Based on Open System Far From Equilibrium Thermodynamics Dana Fields and Robert Melamede, Center for Computational Biology, Biology Department, UCCS

2. Abstract Open system, far from equilibrium thermodynamics, as pioneered by Nobel laureate Illya Prigogine, provides a new framework for interpreting life and its’ disease states. We have developed novel hypotheses that integrate this approach with the many layers of biological complexity. An abstract conceptual development provides a unifying perspective of pre-biotic evolution, the origins of the genetic code, and the origins of life itself. An understanding of the nature of health and disease arises as a natural extension of physical phenomena and includes thermodynamic interpretations of the basic living processes of cell division, differentiation and death. Most disease states are caused by the wrong cells living or dieing. Since the nervous system functions by connections and information transfer, inappropriate cell death has far reaching effects. The central question that we will exam is, to what extent can cognitive dysfunction be minimized or eliminated by using modern physical principles to control life’s creative processes.

3. In keeping with the second law of thermodynamics, any isolated system will tend towards a state of maximum disorder, maximum entropy. However, living systems are not isolated systems. They are far from equilibrium dynamic systems whose organization (negative entropy) is maintained by the flow of information, energy and matter that passes through them, and in doing so, increases entropy dissipation. How can cognitive disabilities be viewed from a generalized physical perspective and what advantages might this approach offer? All biological systems are a balance if internal entropy production and negative entropy flow from their environment. Fitness is essentially a measure of an organism’s capacity to successfully compensate for its obligatory internal entropy production over time. Cognitive disfunction alters the interface of an organism with its environment and thus reduces overall fitness. We want to identify components of this interface that could be used to redirect external negentropic potential in a manner that would increase the fitness of an individual.

4.  We are developing a computer model that embraces the integration of fundamental physics with living systems (Melamede, 2002). The model in its current form is exhibiting spacio-temporal structures as are characteristic of life. The model, in its final form, will be very robust in that we expect it to reproduce many of the characteristics exhibited by the complex hierarchy of dissipative structures that comprise living systems, including birth, growth, aging and death; and health and disease. In reality, any progress that is made by man in helping to prevent and/or treat cognitive disfunction, or any disease for that matter, will only occur with in the context of the underlying physical laws that have created and maintain life.

5. Our research efforts focus on connecting far from equilibrium physics with biology so that we can better understand and manipulate biological endpoints. We will use computer models to identify various biological potentials (negentropic sources) that, in theory, could be used to overcome functional deficiencies of an organism by recreating new dissipative structures that would bypass and compensate for defective biology. We want to demonstrate that “deficient” dissipative structures can be thermodynamically enhanced, or new ones generated, that could mimic missing cognitive capacity. For example, modulating the source, amplitude and frequency of sensory inputs might serve as negentropic sources that could create new biological capacity. Computer modeling will provide insights into conditions that could promote the accomplishment these goals. Ultimately, we would like to connect the model, and biological experiments that are consistent with the model, with physiological assessment tools such as EEG.

6. Consciousness Multicellularity Tissues, Organs, Immune, nervous, endocrine systems Life Basic Cellular Metabolism and Transport Precellular, Prebiotic interacting dissipative Structures Multiple organizational levels are tied together through the flow of entropic terms often forming flow dependant dissipative structures. Our computational model will describe the forces and flows that are required to effect change on any level by manipulating the forces and flows of other levels.

7. Slide #1 Biological systems are far-from-equilibrium systems. Hence, they need to be described by extended, irreversible thermodynamics. Overall entropy production is composed of exchange and irreversible terms.

8. Slide #2 It’s useful to break up the exchange and irreversible terms into their respective matter and energy flows.

9. Slide #3 A free-living cell is negative in entropy with respect to its raw components. Therefore, it must utilize exchange and irreversible processes to maintain its far-from-equilibrium status.

10. Slide #4 A free-living cell is a dissipative structure. Multicellular organisms are unions of such dissipative structures. Their entropy is negative with respect to their basic parts, but overall, organism plus environment have a positive production of entropy. The systems of multicellular organisms specialize in matter or energy flow. Digestive system: matter flow Respiratory system: matter flow Circulatory system: matter flow Nervous system: energy flow (i.e. information flow)

11. Slide #5 Nervous function and cognition is a non-linear, irreversible thermodynamic, energy flow. Cognitive impairment is a disruption in this dynamic energy flow and should be amenable to a dynamical description. Corrective treatments should attempt to restore or mimic normal energy flow.