An evolutionary computational approach to phase and synchronization in biological circuits

Explaining and controlling the emergence of synchronization between and across biological circuits are becoming increasingly important in systems biology. Computational models of increasing complexity are being proposed for explaining biological cycles with periods ranging from milliseconds to years. Such models have focused on period and amplitude. However, there is an equally important aspect of biological cycles, which is phase, or the ability of circuits and their components to synchronize their activities at the same level and across levels. Phase requires cooperation and feedback so that appropriate dynamical behavior and response result between and across different biological circuits. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how evolutionary computing, specifically a genetic algorithm, can help model the development of phased biological circuit cycles so that synchronized and periodic macro-level behavior emerges from micro-level circuit components and complexes.