title: Evolving Boolean regulatory networks with epigenetic control.
abstract: The significant role of epigenetic mechanisms within natural systems has become increasingly clear. This paper uses a recently presented abstract, tunable Boolean genetic regulatory network model to explore aspects of epigenetics. It is shown how dynamically controlling transcription via a DNA methylation-inspired mechanism can be selected for by simulated evolution under various single and multicellular scenarios. Further, it is shown that the effects of such control can be inherited without detriment to fitness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science & Creative Technologies, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK. Electronic address: Larry.Bull@uwe.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bull
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
keywords: Development; Dynamical systems; Methylation; Multicellularity; RBNK model