Bioinformatics computing II

Introduction to
Natural Computing
Bioinformatics computing II
Introduction
• During the early days of
humanity natural resources
were used to provide food
and shelter.
• We soon learned to modify
and manage nature
• Then we started to observe
and study natural
phenomenon in order to
understand how nature
works
Bioinformatics computing II
Example
By learning about the
physical laws of motion and
gravity it became possible to
design aircrafts.
By understanding some
basic principles of life it is
now possible to manage
nature at various levels,
from the creation of
transgenic food to the
control of diseases.
Bioinformatics computing II
Natural Computing
• Investigates models and
computational techniques
inspired by nature
• Attempts to understand the
world around us in terms
of information processing
• Interdisciplinary field that
connects computer
sciences with natural
sciences
Bioinformatics computing II
Natural Computing
• The main idea of natural
computing is that,
information processing is a
natural process for us.
three types of approaches
1. computing inspired by
nature
2. simulation and emulation of
natural phenomenon in
computers
3. computing with natural
matrials
Bioinformatics computing II
Computing inspired by
nature

i. Nature as Inspiration

ii. Nature as Implementation

Substrate

iii. Nature as Computation

Bioinformatics computing II
Nature as Inspiration
• Cellular Automata
• Neural Computation
• Evolutionary Computation
• Swarm Intelligence
• Immunocomputing
• Artificial Life
• Membrane Computing
• Amorphous Computing
Bioinformatics computing II
Nature as
Implementation
Substrate
• Molecular Computing
(DNA Computing)Uses
biomolecules, e.g., DNA,
RNA
• Quantum Computing Uses,
e.g., ion traps,
superconductors, nuclear
magnetic resonance
Bioinformatics computing II
Nature as Computation
Understand nature by viewing
natural processes as
information processing

Sys. Bio Synth. Bio

Cellular

Computing