An Algebraic Application of Group Theory in Genetic Code

Enriquez, Richard Paul N. Bernardo, Jecko Adriano, Manuel Nace, Belle

BS Mathematics – Specialized in Business Application 2B

1 Overview

Abstract Algebra has key structures which are: Groups, Rings, Fields, Vector Spaces, and

Modules. The aforementioned structures are all fairly abstract which keeps them grounded.

Relative to that, this paper focuses on the first key structure of Abstract Algebra which is the so-

called group theory. Group theory is developed to study and manipulate abstract concepts

involving symmetry and its other specific types. It plays a central role and position in

mathematics as well as in such areas such as counting, coding, chemistry, physics, and biology.

In addition, this paper shows and explains how group theory and its specifications make larger

groups out of groups which are gathered or pieced together. The methods and the properties

under this function will later be used to give its way to the genetic code.

This paper goes beyond the origin and the definition of the topic, but it further shows

how it is applied in the real world. Biology, which has something to do with the real world and

real life, is one of the aspects where group theory is applied; specifically, how it is applied to the

genetic code. Its process is presented in numerically and analytically manner as this paper goes

further. Moreover, the goal of this paper is to understand how all of this are interpreted in a

different way of perspective.

2 Application

This paper rests on well-known algebraic structure: group theory which is first built from

the DNA bases to prove and develop the genetic code algebraic structures. In this part of the

paper, the genetic code is described in a group theory wherein the latter serves as the units or

objects of the main topic. When the genetic code compressed from anywhere possibilities, there

could be many potential symmetry-breaking events. From that occurrence, a codon (defined as a

sequence of three nucleotides which together form a unit of genetic code in DNA or RNA

molecule) is represented in the direct product.

A simple approach to describe the genetic code involves symmetries of the code-

doublets. The genetic code bases are arranged according to their chemical properties and criteria.

The result would be the two orders {A, C, G, U} and {U, C, G, A} which is the key to define a

sum operation in several ways. From these, two cyclic groups isomorphic are obtained.

Furthermore, the understanding of the application of group theory in genetic code is expanded on

the preceding chapters of this paper.

3 Outline of the Exposition

I. Introduction

II. Introduction to Group Theory

III. Types of Group Theory

a. Finite Simple Groups

b. Infinite Groups

IV. Application of Group Theory in Genetic Code

V. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

4 References

Rietman, E.A., Karp, R.L. & Tuszynski, J.A. (2011). Review and application of group theory to

molecular systems biology.  Theor Biol Med Model 8, 21. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4682-8-21. The manuscript is made and published to conceive the

idea of a review paper on the uses of group theory in systems biology and to provide most of the

material presented in the paper.

Sanchez, R., Morgado, E., & Grau, R. (2004). Gene Algebra from a Genetic Code Algebraic

Structure.

Baker, M.J., (2018). Maths-Group Theory-Types of Group. Retrieved from

https://www.euclideanspace.com/maths/discrete/groups/categorise/types/index.htm. It is a

popular science type book which traces the history leading up to the discovery of the largest

symmetry groups.