The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism

2024/07/22 by Kevin J. Mitchell, Nick Cheney, Mitchell, Kevin J. +1 · 11 voices · 6 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Artificial intelligence #Biology #Code (set theory) #Computational biology #Computer science #Gene #Generative grammar #Genetics #Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research #Genome #Model organism #Organism #Programming language #Set (abstract data type)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2407.15908

published in arXiv (Cornell University) (Cornell University)

openalex publication_date 2024/07/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

How does the genome encode the form of the organism? What is the nature of this genomic code? Inspired by recent work in machine learning and neuroscience, we propose that the genome encodes a generative model of the organism. In this scheme, by analogy with variational autoencoders, the genome comprises a connectionist network, embodying a compressed space of latent variables, with weights that get encoded by the learning algorithm of evolution and decoded through the processes of development. The generative model analogy accounts for the complex, distributed genetic architecture of most traits and the emergent robustness and evolvability of developmental processes, while also offering a conception that lends itself to formalisation.

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Discussions

• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism [hn, 157 points, 38 comments]
• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism arxiv.org/abs/2407.15908 (revised version, following peer review) [bsky, 108 points, 8 comments]
• 2- and highly relevant is this one from @wiringthebrain.bsky.social arxiv.org/abs/2407.15908 [bsky, 5 points, 1 comments]
• Talking about Gibbon songs and bio-inspired voice algorithms for sound synthesis made my day, thank you! 😊 regarding the link between evolution and learning, recently stumbled upon this study arxiv.o [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]
• The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism [hn, 2 points, 0 comments]
• An interesting read that moves away from the 'blueprint of life' approach to the genome and instead compares it to generative AI models. [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.15908 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism (arxiv.org) Main Link | Discussion [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• As in so many cases, advances in technology, from the clock to the telegraph, from the blueprint to the program and now from machine learning to generative models lead to new metaphors and insights in [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
• The Genomic Code: The genome instantiates a generative model of the organism arxiv.org/abs/2407.15908 🧬🖥️ [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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