A historical perspective of Tian's evolution algebras (Q2674689)

An \(n\)-dimensional evolution algebra \(A\) over a field \(K\) is a \(K\)-algebra with a basis \( \{e_j: 1 \leq j \leq n \}\) such that \(e_i e_j=0\) for \(i \neq j\). The family \( \{e_j\}_j\) is called a natural basis of \(A\). These algebras were introduced by \textit{J. P. Tian} [Evolution algebras and their applications. Berlin: Springer (2008; Zbl 1136.17001)] motivated by some laws of genetics. Each \(e_j\) corresponds to an allele. Set \(e_i^2= \sum_j p_{ij} e_j^2\) for every \(i\), then the \(p_{ij}\) are called the structural constants of \(A\). If \(K= \mathbb R\), \(p_{ij} \geq 0\) for every \(i, j\) and \(\sum_jp_{ij}=1\) for every \(i\), then \(A\) is called a Markov evolution algebra. In the paper under review the authors survey some main results about the structure and properties of evolution algebras. In particular, they consider the connections with graph theory, Markov chains and some applications in biology.