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Cellular Computing

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Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science

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Definition of the Subject

The field of cellular computing (abbreviated as CC) defines both a general computing framework and a discipline concerned with the analysis, modeling, and engineering of real cellular processes for the purpose of computation. The biological cell, discovered and coined by R. Hooke in 1665, is the smallest self-contained, self-maintaining, and self-reproducing unit of all living organisms. Its understanding and modeling is crucial both for the understanding of life and for the ability to use, control, and modify its complex biochemical processes to perform specific functions for the purpose of in vivo or in vitro computation. The cellular metaphor has inspired and influenced numerous both abstract computing models and in silico implementations, such as cellular automata (abbreviated as CA), membrane systems (or P systems), or Field Programmable Gate Arrays(abbreviated as FPGAs), with the main purpose to solve algorithmic problems in alternative ways. The...

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Abbreviations

Cell:

The biological cell is the smallest self-contained, self-maintaining, and self-reproducing unit of all living organisms. Various computing paradigms were inspired by the biological cell.

Computation:

Synonymous with information processing or also algorithm. Computations can, for example, be performed by abstract machines, real computer hardware, or biological systems. The abstract concept of the Turing machine separates the class of computable from the class of non-computable functions.

Computing:

The science that deals with the manipulation of symbols. Also refers to the processes carried out by real or abstract computers.

Molecular computing:

A subfield of cellular computing, where the molecules instead of the cell play a central functional role.

Parallel computing:

Parallel computing involves the execution of a task on multiple processors with the goal to speed up the execution process by dividing up the task into smaller sub-tasks that can be executed simultaneously.

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  1. Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA

    Christof Teuscher

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    Robert A. Meyers

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Teuscher, C. (2013). Cellular Computing. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_61-3

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