Session:

SOE - Self-Organization on Representations for Genetic and Evolutionary Algorithms

Title:

Multicellular Development, Self-Organization, and Differentiation

Authors:

Sanjeev Kumar

Abstract:

This paper describes experiments performed using a multicellular test-bed, the Evolutionary Developmental System (EDS). The EDS is an object oriented model of biological development designed for the study of 3D multicellular development and differentiation. Genetic regulatory networks are used to specify and control the construction of varied multicellular morphologies. The construction of these morphologies, from a single cell, using the symmetry-breaking mechanisms of cell signaling and asymmetric division is investigated. In addition, analysis reveals that multicellular differentiation emerges during the process of development.