The field of biologically inspired computation has coexisted with mainstream computing since the 1930s, and the pioneers in this area include Warren McCulloch, Walter Pitts, Robert Rosen, Otto Schmitt, Alan Turing, John von Neumann and Norbert Wiener. Ideas arising out of studies of biology have permeated algorithmics, automata theory, artificial intelligence, graphics, information systems and software design. Within this context, the biomolecular, cellular and tissue levels of biological organisation have had a considerable inspirational impact on the development of computational ideas. Such innovations include neural computing, systolic arrays, genetic and immune algorithms, cellular automata, artificial tissues, DNA computing and protein memories. With the rapid growth in biological knowledge there remains a vast source of ideas yet to be tapped. This includes developments associated with biomolecular, genomic, enzymic, metabolic, signalling and developmental systems and the various impacts on distributed, adaptive, hybrid and emergent computation. This multidisciplinary book brings together a collection of chapters by biologists, computer scientists, engineers and mathematicians who were drawn together to examine the ways in which the interdisciplinary displacement of concepts and ideas could develop new insights into emerging computing paradigms. Funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the CytoCom Network formally met on five occasions to examine and discuss common issues in biology and computing that could be exploited to develop emerging models of computation.

CytoComputational Systems - Perspectives and Tools of Thought

Cells in Telecommunications
Symbiogenesis as a Machine Learning Mechanism
An Overview of Artificial Immune Systems
Embryonics and Immunotronics: Biologically Inspired Computer Science Systems
Biomedical Applications of Micro and Nano Technologies
Macromolecules, Genomes and Ourselves
Models of Genetic Regulatory Networks
A Model of Bacterial Adaptability Based on Multiple Scales of Interaction: COSMIC
Stochastic Computations in Neurons and Neural Networks
Spatial Patterning in Explicitly Cellular Environments: Activity-Regulated Juxtacrine Signalling
Modelling the GH Release System
Hierarchies of Machines
Models of Recombination in Ciliates
Developing Algebraic Models of Protein Signalling Agents
Categorical Language and Hierarchical Models for Cell Systems
Mathematical Systems Biology: Genomic Cybernetics
What Kinds of Natural Processes can be Regarded as Computations?
List of Contributors.