In this blog post, we delve deeply into whether we have truly decoded all the real messages within DNA, through a life science approach that views DNA as a language.
DNA information is highly complex and not easily deciphered. This decoding process is akin to interpreting sentences written in an unknown ancient language. Just as ancient languages require inferring grammar and context, DNA can also be considered a systematic ‘language’ with specific rules and a meaningful structure, rather than a simple sequence of bases. Through extensive research, biologists have revealed that DNA possesses rules similar to language, and this discovery has played a decisive role in broadening the horizons of life sciences.
The DNA chain is composed of four ‘letters’ (G, A, T, C), and these letters combine in groups of three to form a single ‘word’ (codon). These ‘codons’ designate specific amino acids or serve as signals indicating the start and end of genetic information, playing a central role in regulating protein synthesis and biological functions. As codons are arranged consecutively, they form biologically meaningful ‘sentences’—sequences carrying genetic information—which constitute the fundamental unit of the gene.
DNA’s ‘words’ perform diverse functions. For instance, beyond codons specifying the 20 amino acids that compose proteins, there exist start codons and stop codons signaling the initiation and termination of transcription within DNA sequences, as well as signal sequences directing proteins to be transported to specific cellular organelles. Thus, DNA inherently contains an intricate and complex linguistic system that regulates the structure and function of living organisms.
Recently, significant breakthroughs have been achieved as linguistic research techniques, particularly bioinformatics approaches utilizing computer-based analytical tools, have been fully integrated into DNA decoding. A prime example is the discovery by Soviet biologist Alexander Trifonov that DNA base sequences form a continuous string of characters, much like ancient Hebrew or Etruscan, with no spaces. He identified specific patterns and grammatical structures frequently repeated in DNA chains, proposing criteria to distinguish meaningful base sequences from meaningless ones. This became the foundation for subsequent gene structure interpretation.
This analysis revealed that only about 3% of the entire DNA chain actually contains core genetic information. The remaining majority consists of ‘junk DNA’ with unknown functions, long considered biologically meaningless. However, recent research suggests that this ‘junk DNA’ may also play important roles in various aspects, such as regulating gene expression, maintaining chromosome structure, and securing evolutionary diversity. In particular, studies are actively underway to re-examine the biological value of junk DNA, such as its function in producing non-coding RNA or serving as binding sites for transcription factors.
Identifying the core sequences containing meaningful information within the DNA chain and interpreting the biological significance of these ‘words’ can be likened to compiling a dictionary of life’s language. Currently, as databases for genome interpretation and algorithm development become more sophisticated, diverse meanings are being extracted from nucleotide sequences that were once seen merely as simple strings of letters. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, subsequent research has continued efforts to uncover the functions performed by each region of the human genome. This work is contributing to a revolutionary increase in our understanding of the genome, the blueprint of life, and is being applied in diverse fields such as genetic disease diagnosis, personalized medicine, and gene therapy.
Trifonov named this system of DNA language ‘gnome’. ‘Gnome’ is derived from ‘genome’ by omitting the middle letter ‘e’, but it also carries symbolic meaning. ‘Gnome’ is also the name of a dwarf fairy from ancient legends who guards underground treasures. It is said this fairy writes mysterious sentences with a silver pen by moonlight, a scene reminiscent of DNA recording life information within cells. Furthermore, ‘gnome’ also means ‘proverb,’ aligning with DNA’s attribute of encapsulating universal truths in concise language. This dual meaning elevates DNA beyond a mere chemical compound, allowing it to be read as a poetic metaphor for life and evolution.
Thus, DNA is a complex linguistic system containing the essence and origin of life, conveying the history and information of all living things through combinations of the four letters G, A, T, and C. This base pairing encapsulates the compressed trajectory of life evolved over billions of years, serving as a key to explaining biological diversity, genetic specificity, and the similarities and differences between species. The attempt to interpret DNA as a language is a prime example of how life sciences are evolving through convergence with linguistics, information science, and philosophy, deepening our understanding of the essence of living organisms. The decoding and interpretation of this ‘language of life’ will continue at the forefront of human intellect.
