BRICS · Contents · Lecturers · Programme · References

Biological Concepts for Adaptive and Distributed Algorithms

A BRICS Mini-Course
November 9-11, 16 and 17, 1998

Lectures by
Thiemo Krink, krink@brics.dk
BRICS

Per Bak
Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen

Freddy B. Christiansen
Department of Genetics and Ecology, University of Aarhus

Erik Baatrup
Department of Zoology, University of Aarhus


Course Contents

Biological ideas can serve as sophisticated models for problem-solving strategies and the design and management of complex computing systems. This potential, found in biological systems, arises from Nature's characteristic capability of parallel processing, self-organisation, efficiency and robustness, i.e., effective behaviour under unpredictably changing conditions. Interestingly, there are various analogies between complex systems in computer science and biology, as for instance competition for resources, division of labour or concurrency. However, apart from evolutionary computing and artificial neural networks, there are surprisingly few studies into potential applications of other biological ideas that might be useful to IT problems and questions.

In this mini-course we will discuss various aspects of biology, which could be used for novel adaptive and distributed algorithms and introduce some existing biological models already used in artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial life (ALife). The aim of the course is to raise interest for these (yet) unused biological ideas and to point at problems related to their identification and application in computer science.

In particular, we will discuss:

About the Lecturers

Thiemo Krink

Thiemo Krink is currently enrolled as a research assistant professor (Forskningsadjunkt) at the BRICS PhD school. He was trained as a computer scientist at the Universities of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Hamburg (Germany), with special focus on computer simulation, AI and object-oriented programming. Within these areas he had specific interests in interdisciplinary research, which were stimulated by his medicine studies and his free lance activity as a business consultant. As an MSc student, he conducted two interdisciplinary projects on modelling of animal behaviour in collaboration with the biologist prof. Fritz Vollrath at Oxford. In 1994, he received his MSc degree in computer science and continued his research at the Department of Zoology, Aarhus, where he was conferred his PhD degree (biology) in 1997. Most of his papers and conference talks were focused on the design and application of virtual robots for biological research. Apart from his own activity as a scientific author, his research has been published by public media such as newspapers (e.g., Berlingske Tidende), journals (New Scientist), books (R. Dawkins: Climbing Mount Improbable) and TV (e.g. Scientific American Frontiers). His current research interests are in the fields of (i) applications of biological concepts for computational ideas and (ii) theoretical biology concerning general models for coevolution and behavioural ecology.

Per Bak

Per Bak is professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, Copenhagen. His ground-breaking research on self-organised criticality (SOC) is concerned with principal mechanisms of complex phenomena found in various disciplines. Besides various other disciplines, Per Bak applied his research to biological questions in collaboration with Stuart Kauffman at the Santa Fé institute.

Freddy B. Christiansen

Freddy B. Christiansen is professor at the department of Genetics and Ecology in Aarhus. His research activities are focused on multi-locus theory. Interestingly, he is also involved in interdisciplinary research on genetic algorithms together with John Holland and Mark Feldman at the Santa Fé institute.

Erik Baatrup

Erik Baatrup is associate professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, AU, with research in ecotoxicology. He has developed several computerized video-tracking systems used for describing animal behaviour in precise numerical terms. Changes in the behaviour of terrestrial and aquatic organisms are useful effect-biomarkers of environmental pollutants.

Programme

Monday November 9, 1998, 15:15-17:00 in Auditorium F

Per Bak (physics)
  • Complexity and self-organised criticality
Thiemo Krink
  • Ways to adaptive and distributed algorithms

Tuesday November 10, 1998, 14:15-16:00 in Meeting room R2

Freddy B. Christiansen (genetics)
  • Multi-locus theory
Thiemo Krink
  • DNA based computers

Wednesday November 11, 1998, 15:15-17:00 in Auditorium G1

Thiemo Krink
  • Adaptation in natural systems
  • Conceptual and physical models for adaptation

Monday November 16, 1998, 15:15-17:00 in Auditorium D4

Erik Baatrup (behaviour)
  • Objective methods for behavioural analysis
Thiemo Krink
  • Synchronisation, communication and decision making

Tuesday November 17, 1998, 14:15-16:00 in Auditorium G4

Thiemo Krink
  • Ecological models for real and artificial agents
  • Agent cooperation and organisation of social systems

References

General introduction to biology

Specific topics ordered by the course sessions

(1) Self-organisation and complexity

Per Bak: Complexity and self-organised criticality

Thiemo Krink: Ways to adaptive and distributed algorithms

(2) Biochemical information encoding

Freddy B. Christiansen: Multi-locus theory Thiemo Krink: DNA based computers

(3) Adaptive and distributed processing

Thiemo Krink: Adaptation in natural systems Thiemo Krink: Conceptual and physical models for adaptation

(4) Mechanisms for interaction and their analysis

Erik Baatrup: Objective methods for behavioural analysis

Thiemo Krink: Synchronisation, communication and decision making

(5) Models for multiagent interactions

Thiemo Krink: Ecological models for real and artificial agents Thiemo Krink: Agent cooperation and organisation of social systems

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