Use of evolved artificial regulatory networks to simulate 3D cell differentiation

Cell differentiation has a crucial role in both artificial and natural developments. This paper presents results from simulations in which a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to evolve artificial regulatory networks (ARNs) to produce predefined 3D cellular structures through the selective activation and inhibition of genes. The ARNs used in this work are extensions of a model previously used to create 2D geometrical patterns. The GA worked by evolving the gene regulatory networks that were used to control cell reproduction, which took place in a testbed based on cellular automata (CA). After the final chromosomes were produced, a single cell in the middle of the CA lattice was allowed to replicate controlled by the ARN found by the GA, until the desired cellular structures were formed. Two simple cubic layered structures were first developed to test multiple gene synchronization. The model was then applied to the problem of generating a 3D French flag pattern using morphogenetic gradients to provide cells with positional information that constrained cellular replication.