The G-Ball, a New Icon for Codon Symmetry and the Genetic Code

Abstract

A codon table is a useful tool for mapping codons to amino acids as they have been assigned by nature. It has become a scientific icon because of the way it embodies our understanding of this natural process and the way it immediately communicates this understanding. However, advancements in molecular biology over the past several decades must lead to a realization that our basic understanding of genetic translation is fundamentally flawed and incomplete, and, therefore, our icon is inadequate. A better understanding of symmetry and an appreciation for the essential role it has played in codon formation will improve our understanding of nature's coding processes. Incorporation of that symmetry into our icon will facilitate that improvement.