Abstract
We present our latest version of a swarm-based, 3-dimensional model of the lactose (lac) operon gene regulatory system. The lac operon is a well-understood genetic switch capable of self-regulation dependent on the energy source of lactose. Our model includes a 3D visualisation which simulates proteins as agents with physical properties that interact with DNA, molecules, and other proteins, incorporating many of the important aspects of a genetic regulatory system. Our model utilizes a decentralized swarm approach with multiple agents acting independently – according to local interaction rules – to exhibit complex emergent behaviours, which constitute the externally observable and measurable switching behaviour.
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jacob, C., Burleigh, I. Biomolecular swarms – an agent-based model of the lactose operon. Nat Comput 3, 361–376 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-004-2638-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-004-2638-7