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.
This book deals with key issues in the emerging interdisciplinary area involving cellular systems, computational modelling, and biologically inspired computing. This highly multidisciplinary book offers a unique blend of topical contributions that are written by biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians with non-expert readers in mind. It reflects important trends and developments in this exciting field of science.
The volume can serve as a textbook and reference book for advanced students and computer scientists, biologists, and mathematicians.
From the reviews:
"This book provides a particularly rich source of insights into the future of computing, and of new notions of computation. This multi-disciplinary book brings together biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians ? who offer their insights into the paradigms emerging from modern biology. It contains 17 essays, for an audience of researchers working in biological information processing." (W. Richard Stark, Computing Reviews, February, 2005)
