The CCA Papers
The Current Research Programme
The CCA papers are a three-paper research programme developing the Canonical Communication Architecture (CCA) from first principles and investigating its implications for biology and the origin of life.
The papers are currently in preparation and are expected to be completed in Autumn/Winter 2026. Please note these three papers form the theoretical foundation of the Rushton Research Wager. Shown below are a provisional title and short description for each paper:
CCA PAPER 01
Deriving the Canonical Communication Architecture
From the logic of communication to a minimal, universal architecture (the CCA).
CCA PAPER 02
The Central Dogma: Embodiment of the Canonical Communication Architecture.
Investigating the DNA-RNA-protein system as a physical embodiment of the CCA.
CCA PAPER 03
A universal law of life: The Canonical Communication Architecture
Investigating whether the Canonical Communication Architecture constitutes a universal law of life.
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The NPCA Papers
The Introductory Phase
This archive catalogues the foundational theoretical manuscripts developed during the initial formulation of our research programme. These early papers explore the logico-architectural principles which are proposed to underlie natural communication systems.
Together, they document the development of the Non-Physical Communication Architecture (NPCA), the precursor to the Canonical Communication Architecture (CCA) developed in the current research programme.
NPCA PAPER 01
Towards a universal theory of life
Rushton, P.P. (2025), Towards a universal theory of life, Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18111867
An ambitious paper which lays out a universal theory of life based on the NPCA - a universal communication architecture derived from pure logic and proposed to be physically embodied by the three informational macromolecules: DNA, RNA and protein. This paper laid the groundwork for the later development of the Canonical Communication Architecture.
Submission History
Not yet submitted
NPCA PAPER 02
Why no reverse translation? Logico-architectural constraints on biological communication
Rushton, P.P. (2026). Why no reverse translation? Logico-architectural constraints on biological communication, Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19828579.
One of the most paradoxical and indeed perplexing problems in biology is why translation exists, but reverse translation does not. Any aspiring theory of life should explain this. As far as we know, none have even discussed it. Within the NPCA the explanation flows directly from its triadic architecture: protein corresponds to the receive-only role, so there is no further communication pathway out of protein.
Submission History
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Biology Direct - Desk Rejection (09/05/26)
NPCA PAPER 03
The emergence of triadic, unidirectional communication in biology
Rushton, P.P. (2026), The emergence of triadic, unidirectional communication in biology, Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20481076.
The DNA-RNA-Protein system at the core of all cells has the structure of the NPCA. That is, triadic unidirectional communication. But exactly how did this architecture arise? This paper uses computer simulations to show how triadic unidirectional communication - and therefore the NPCA - arises from completely random Erdős–Rényi networks.
Submission History
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The Journal of the Royal Society: Interface - Desk Rejection (26/06/26)