A Computational Framework for Multilevel Morphologies

The hierarchical organisation of biological systems plays a crucial role in the pattern formation of gene expression resulting from morphogenetic processes. Being able to reproduce the system's dynamics at the different levels of such a hierarchy might be very useful for designing engineered products that manifest spatial self-organising properties inspired by the development of living organisms. In this chapter we describe a computational framework capable of supporting through simulation the study of biological systems and the design of artificial systems that autonomously develop a spatial structure exploiting the potential of multi-level dynamics. With such a framework we propose a model for the morphogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster, demonstrating its capability of reproducing the expression pattern of the embryo. We then examine a scenario of pervasive computing as an application of this framework in the realisation of engineered products.

progetto finanziatore

 NETSCALE — Ricostruzione e modellazione delle dinamiche molecolari e genetiche alla base della precoce regionalizzazione degli embrioni di zebrafish e di seaurchin (01/07/2008–30/06/2010)