A (quantum) group theoretical approach to the genetic code

by Paul SORBA (LAPP, Annecy)

Thursday 18 Nov 1999, 14:00 → 16:00 Europe/Zurich

TH Auditorium (CERN)

The quantum algebra Uq(sl(2)+sl(2)) in the limit q=0 is proposed as a symmetry algebra for the genetic code. The triplets of nucleotides (codons) in the DNA chain are classified in crystal bases. This construction might be compared to the baryon classification from quarks in particle physics, one main difference being the natural order in the state constituents provided by the crystal base. An operator ensuring the correspondence codon/amino-acid is built out of the above algebra: two codons relative to the same (resp. different) amino-acid(s) acquire the same (resp. different) eigenvalue(s). The free energy released by base pairing in double stranded RNA is also computed in this model. Finally, it is remarked that the ratio of the codon usage in the quartets and sextets for the vertebrate series exhibit a correlated behaviour which fits naturally in this framework.