Biosemiotics 259“6x9” b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter6.1.5 Cell Language Theory
Although the theory of cell language was not formulated until 1997 [19],
about 6 years after the formalization of biocybernetics, we can view cell
language theory and biocybernetics as complementary aspects of a gen-
eral theory of biology which may now be identified with microsemiotics
or Molecular Information Theory (MIT), as already mentioned. It is very
likely that additional concepts, principles, and theories will be uncovered
in the future that need to be incorporated into microsemiotics or MIT as
essential components.6.1.6 Biocybernetic Models of Living Systems and
Processes: “Atorology”
A key component of biocybernetics is the set of theoretical or conceptual
models of biological systems and processes that have been formulated on
the basis of the principle of biocybernetics. Since all these models are
considered to be species of the self-organizing chemical reaction-
diffusion systems, or dissipative structures (also called dissipatons), they
have all been named as X-ators. The following is a partial list of the
models (or “ators”) that have been published so far:(1) The origin of life (the Princetonator) [7, pp. 224–225].
(2) DNA gyrase (the Bostonator) [278, p. 209].
(3) Mitochondria (the Madisonator) [7, pp. 56–61].
(4) The cell (the Bhopalator) [7, pp. 61–139; 16].
(5) The human body (the Piscatawaytor) [7, pp. 141–147].
(6) Information processing systems, both natural and artificial (the
NewJerseyator).
(7) Local self-defense mechanisms, i.e., inflammatory response (the
Londonator) [7, pp. 186–191].
(8) Global self-defense mechanisms of the human body (the Hanoverator)
[7, pp. 193–194].
(9) The human society (the Newbrunswickator) [7, pp. 149–152].
(10) The universe as an information-energy system (the Shillongator)
[7, pp. 156–163].
(11) The universe as a system of matter, mind, and spirituality (the
Seoulator) ([278, p. 209; Figure 1 in [556]).b2861_Ch-06.indd 259 17-10-2017 12:04:10 PM