On a workflow model based on generalized communicating P systems

This paper introduces a new formal mathematical model for investigating workflows from dynamical and behavioural point of view. The model is designed on the basis of a special variant of the biology-inspired formal computational model called membrane systems, where the jobs or services are represented by membrane objects whose behaviour is defined by communication and generalization rules. The model supports running computations in a massive parallel manner, which makes it ideal to model high throughput workflow interpreters. Among the variants introduced in the literature, we have selected the Generalized Communicating P Systems, as it focuses on the communication among the membranes.Most of the workflow languages, based on different formal models like Petri nets or Communicating Sequential Processes, support several predefined structures – namely workflow patterns – to control the workflow interpretation such as conditions, loops etc. In this paper we show how these patterns are adapted into the membrane environment which, taking into account that membrane systems can be used to study complex dynamic systems’ runtime behaviour, makes this model a relevant alternative for the current model

Petri Nets for Biologically Motivated Computing

Petri nets are a general and well-established model of concurrent and distributed computation and behaviour, including that taking place in biological systems. In this survey paper, we are concerned with intrinsic relationships between Petri nets and two formal models inspired by aspects of the functioning of the living cell: membrane systems and reaction systems. In particular, we are interested in the benefits that can result from establishing strong semantical links between Petri nets and membrane systems and reaction systems. We first discuss Petri nets with localities reflecting the compartmentalisation modelled in membrane systems. Then special attention is given to set-nets, a new Petri net model for reaction systems and their qualitative approach to the investigation of the processes carried out by biochemical reactions taking place in the living cell