8 research outputs found
Synthetic Turing protocells: vesicle self-reproduction through symmetry-breaking instabilities
The reproduction of a living cell requires a repeatable set of chemical
events to be properly coordinated. Such events define a replication cycle,
coupling the growth and shape change of the cell membrane with internal
metabolic reactions. Although the logic of such process is determined by
potentially simple physico-chemical laws, the modeling of a full,
self-maintained cell cycle is not trivial. Here we present a novel approach to
the problem which makes use of so called symmetry breaking instabilities as the
engine of cell growth and division. It is shown that the process occurs as a
consequence of the breaking of spatial symmetry and provides a reliable
mechanism of vesicle growth and reproduction. Our model opens the possibility
of a synthetic protocell lacking information but displaying self-reproduction
under a very simple set of chemical reactions
Minimal model of self-replicating nanocells: a physically embodied information-free scenario
The building of minimal self-reproducing systems with a physical embodiment
(generically called protocells) is a great challenge, with implications for
both theory and applied sciences. Although the classical view of a living
protocell assumes that it includes information-carrying molecules as an
essential ingredient, a dividing cell-like structure can be built from a
metabolism-container coupled system, only. An example of such a system, modeled
with dissipative particle dynamics, is presented here. This article
demonstrates how a simple coupling between a precursor molecule and surfactant
molecules forming micelles can experience a growth-division cycle in a
predictable manner, and analyzes the influence of crucial parameters on this
replication cycle. Implications of these results for origins of cellular life
and living technology are outlined.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure
A Category Theoretical Argument Against the Possibility of Artificial Life
One of Robert Rosen's main contributions to the scientific community is summarized in his book 'Life itself'. There Rosen presents a theoretical framework to define living systems; given this definition, he goes on to show that living systems are not realisable in computational universes. Despite being well known and often cited, Rosen's central proof has so far not been evaluated by the scientific community. In this article we review the essence of Rosen's ideas leading up to his rejection of the possibility of real artificial life in silico. We also evaluate his arguments and point out that some of Rosen's central notions are ill- defined. The conclusion of this article is that Rosen's central proof is wrong
The Past, Present, and Future of Artificial Life
For millennia people have wondered what makes the living different from the non-living. Beginning in the mid-1980s, artificial life has studied living systems using a synthetic approach: build life in order to understand it better, be it by means of software, hardware, or wetware. This review provides a summary of the advances that led to the development of artificial life, its current research topics, and open problems and opportunities. We classify artificial life research into fourteen themes: origins of life, autonomy, self-organization, adaptation (including evolution, development, and learning), ecology, artificial societies, behavior, computational biology, artificial chemistries, information, living technology, art, and philosophy. Being interdisciplinary, artificial life seems to be losing its boundaries and merging with other fields
Model of Self-Replicating Cell Capable of Self-Maintenance.
Model of Self-Replicating Cell Capable of Self-Maintenance
Model of Self-Replicating Cell Capable of Self-Maintenance.
We have constructed a simple model of a proto-cell that simulates stochastic dynamics of abstract chemicals on a two-dimensional lattice. We have assumed that chemicals catalyze their reproduction through interaction with each other, and that repulsion occurs between some chemicals. We have shown that chemicals organize themselves into a cell-like structure that maintains its membranes dynamically. Further, we have obtained cells that can divide themselves automatically into daughter cells