Cellular Competency during Development Alters Evolutionary Dynamics in an Artificial Embryogeny Model

Entropy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 131 - 131

Published: Jan. 9, 2023

Biological genotypes do not code directly for phenotypes; developmental physiology is the control layer that separates genomes from capacities ascertained by selection. A key aspect cellular competency, since cells are passive materials but descendants of unicellular organisms with complex context-sensitive behavioral capabilities. To probe effects different degrees competency on evolutionary dynamics, we used an simulation in context minimal artificial embryogeny. Virtual embryos consisted a single axis positional information values provided cells’ ‘structural genes’, operated upon cycle which embryos’ fitness was proportional to monotonicity axial gradient. Evolutionary dynamics were evaluated two modes: hardwired development (genotype encodes phenotype), and more realistic mode interact prior evaluation function (“regulative” development). We find even ability improve their position embryo results better performance search. Crucially, observed increasing masks raw encoded structural genes, selection favoring improvements its problem-solving over genome. This suggests existence powerful ratchet mechanism: evolution progressively becomes locked intelligence agential substrate, reduced pressure kind feedback loop increasingly puts effort into software than perfecting hardware explains very puzzling divergence genome anatomy species like planaria. In addition, it identifies possible driver scaling time, strategies engineering novel systems silico bioengineering.

Language: Английский

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Stress sharing as cognitive glue for collective intelligences: A computational model of stress as a coordinator for morphogenesis

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 731, P. 150396 - 150396

Published: July 14, 2024

Individual cells have numerous competencies in physiological and metabolic spaces. However, multicellular collectives can reliably navigate anatomical morphospace towards much larger, reliable endpoints. Understanding the robustness control properties of this process is critical for evolutionary developmental biology, bioengineering, regenerative medicine. One mechanism that has been proposed enabling individual to coordinate toward specific morphological outcomes sharing stress (where a parameter reflects current amount error context homeostatic loop). Here, we construct analyze multiscale agent-based model morphogenesis which quantitatively examine impact on ability reach target morphology. We found improves morphogenetic efficiency collectives; populations with reached targets faster. Moreover, influenced future fate distant multi-cellular collective, enhancing cells' movement their radius influence, consistent hypothesis works increase cohesiveness collectives. During development, goal states could not be inferred from observation states, revealing limitations knowledge goals by an extern observer outside system itself. Taken together, our analyses support important role natural engineered systems seek robust large-scale behaviors emerge activity competent components.

Language: Английский

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Generalizing frameworks for sentience beyond natural species

Animal Sentience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(32)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Crump et al. (2022) offer a well-argued example of an essential development: rigorous framework for assessing sentience from the perspective moral concern over agent's welfare. Current and forthcoming developments in bioengineering, synthetic morphology, artificial intelligence, biorobotics, exobiology necessitate expansion generalization this effort. Verbal reports (the Turing Test) homology to human brains are utterly inadequate criteria status novel, unconventional agents that no familiar touchstone phylogeny or anatomy. We must develop principled approaches evaluating (and thus, our responsibility to) beings unfamiliar provenance composition.

Language: Английский

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Morphoceuticals: Perspectives for discovery of drugs targeting anatomical control mechanisms in regenerative medicine, cancer and aging

Drug Discovery Today, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 28(6), P. 103585 - 103585

Published: April 12, 2023

Morphoceuticals are a new class of interventions that target the setpoints anatomical homeostasis for efficient, modular control growth and form. Here, we focus on subclass: electroceuticals, which specifically cellular bioelectrical interface. Cellular collectives in all tissues form networks via ion channels gap junctions process morphogenetic information, controlling gene expression allowing cell to adaptively dynamically pattern formation. Recent progress understanding this physiological system, including predictive computational models, suggests targeting interfaces can embryogenesis maintain shape against injury, senescence tumorigenesis. We propose roadmap drug discovery focused manipulating endogenous bioelectric signaling regenerative medicine, cancer suppression antiaging therapeutics.

Language: Английский

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The free energy principle induces intracellular compartmentalization

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 723, P. 150070 - 150070

Published: May 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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