The lower threshold as a unifying principle between Code Biology and Biosemiotics.

Area of Science:

• Biosemiotics
• Code Biology
• Origin of Life Studies

Background:

• Biosemiotics and Code Biology are distinct fields focusing on signs and codes in living systems, respectively.
• A unifying concept, the 'lower threshold,' is crucial for bridging these disciplines.
• Current definitions of the semiotic threshold lack specificity, hindering interdisciplinary dialogue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a clear and unified definition of the lower threshold that bridges biosemiotics and Code Biology.
• To propose specific criteria for identifying the earliest forms of life based on semiotic principles.
• To facilitate a more cohesive conversation between Code Biology and biosemiotics.

Main Methods:

• Defining the lower semiotic threshold at the level of protein biosynthesis.
• Proposing a set of criteria: arbitrariness, representation, repetition, historicity, and self-replication.
• Excluding the notion of interpretation from the definition of the lower threshold.

Main Results:

• A precise location for the lower semiotic threshold is established at protein biosynthesis.
• Key criteria for semiotic understanding of early life forms are identified.
• A definition of the lower threshold is proposed that does not require interpretation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed definition of the lower semiotic threshold at protein biosynthesis offers a unifying principle for biosemiotics and Code Biology.
• The criteria of arbitrariness, representation, repetition, historicity, and self-replication provide a framework for studying early life.
• This refined understanding of the lower threshold can advance interdisciplinary research in the study of life's origins.