Lin Kang, PhD., assistant professor and director for biostatistics at VCOM-Louisiana, embarked on the intricate task of translating and reviewing Inner Logic of Life: Understanding the Origins and Evolution of Life from the Perspective of Complex System, originally written in Chinese by renowned biologist Qichang Fan.
Kang first met Fan, a distinguished professor at the School of Life Sciences at Peking University, during the 2010 International Conference on Genomics. Their dynamic conversations on the nature of life sparked Kang’s deep interest in Fan’s work. Despite Kang's background in computer science, this exchange, paired with his exposure to Fan's thought-provoking book, propelled him to delve deeper into the field of biology. Recognizing the potential impact of making Fan’s revolutionary ideas on life’s origins accessible to a broader, global scientific audience, Kang embraced the challenge of reviewing and translating the book.
Kang's interdisciplinary background enabled him not only to grasp but deeply engage with the complex concepts presented by Fan. This expertise was crucial in ensuring the translation accurately captured both the nuance and depth of Fan’s innovative ideas.
The translation project spanned nearly four years, with Kang dedicating his spare time to the translation. Throughout this process, he carefully navigated the intricate nuances of the Chinese language to preserve the accuracy and integrity of Fan’s original text. “The content covers a broad spectrum of knowledge in biology and systems theory, demanding careful interpretation,” Kang reflects.
Inner Logic of Life presents several innovative perspectives on the origins and evolution of life. Fan challenges traditional evolutionary theories by proposing that DNA, RNA and proteins co-evolved in a mutually supportive, interdependent manner, as opposed to evolving independently. This idea, alongside his complex concept of stratification evolution (major systemic leaps) and pedigree evolution (diversification within a system), presents a new, dual-layered framework for understanding biological development. These intricate concepts, found throughout the book, proved challenging to translate, requiring clarity and precision to ensure the depth of Fan's insights were communicated effectively.
Kang hopes that Inner Logic of Life will be well-received and inspire both the scientific community and students. By presenting fresh perspectives that may challenge and refine existing theories, the book encourages interdisciplinary approaches that bridge fields like biology, systems theory and complex dynamics. This approach is essential not only for advancing science but also for tackling complex, real-world challenges that require collaborative, cross-disciplinary solutions.