preprints.org > biology and life sciences > cell and developmental biology > doi: 10.20944/preprints202312.1424.v2

Preprint Concept Paper Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 19 December 2023 / Approved: 19 December 2023 / Online: 19 December 2023 (09:19:38 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 24 December 2023 / Approved: 25 December 2023 / Online: 25 December 2023 (10:26:10 CET)

Past epigenetic information refers to the epigenetic modifications that have occurred in the past have since been updated. These modifications may no longer be present and not actively influencing on cellular functions. When past epigenetic modifications disappear, the precise records of those modifications typically may be vanish. If it is indeed true, a critical question arises: Can an organism sustain continuous survival and evolution without the information about past epigenetic modifications up to the present? It is reasonable to assume that among the information about past modifications, there could be crucial data essential for survival and evolution. If all these experiences were to vanish, rendering them unknowable in the present, it would undoubtedly pose significant challenges to survival and evolution. Therefore, the argument that such epigenetic information has been securely stored somewhere within the cell is not merely speculative but likely a factual reality.In this study, a new term “Epigenetic Archive”, is introduced in biology. It refers to a data repository that encompasses all experience data on past epigenetic modifications. The argument presented here underscores the importance of Epigenetic Archive and the need for its secure preservation. According to the argument, the information that cells experience should be continuously and securely stored, and any distortion of this information is said to be inconsistent with the principles of evolution and survival. This information is seen as evidence of a cell's successful existence up to the present, and it is emphasized that this successful record must be preserved. From this perspective, Epigenetic Archive should be designed to safely store past biological experiences and link this information securely to the present data. This study proposes that the data architecture in Epigenetic Archive is indeed akin to the principles of blockchain technology, particularly in terms of immutability and a distributed ledger securely preserving information across generations and ensuring that all cells possess consistent epigenetic information across a biological organism.The applications and implications of such an analogy of blockchain to Epigenetics could be an original contribution for future research on biology and genetics.

epigenetic information; epigenetic modification; blockchain; cellular network; data archive; evolution; data immutability; distributed ledger; p2p communication; cellular substructure

Biology and Life Sciences, Cell and Developmental Biology

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