Pattern-form interaction models of biological morphogenesis
A.V. Spirov
I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and
Biochemistry,
St-Petersburg, Russia
The problem of how the information coded in the essentially linear DNA molecule becomes translated into a three-dimensional form we treat with position of computer Pattern-Form Interaction model. The characteristic feature of the model is feedback loop from (bio)chemical pattern formation to modelling embryo form changes [1-6]. The system is open and pattern changes give rise to changes in form, these changes in form (surface geometry) cause further pattern changes, and so on. In frames of biosynergetic strategy we asking how do we imagine it could have happened, but trying to approach as closely as possible to the strategies employed by actual living organisms. The model is directed towards prediction of coupled changes of the gene expression patterns, the embryo surface geometry and biochemical/physiological pattern [4-6]. Potentiality of approach is demonstrated by simulation of early morphogenesis of sea urchin embryo. Taking into account the simplicity and universalism of the model, the obtained results may bring in evidence that there is a small biological specificness of the early embryo morphogenesis and that the prevalence of physical [synergetic] specificness of this process do exist.