Like quantum computing or DNA computing, membrane computing is an unconventional model of computation associated with a new computing paradigm. The field of membrane computing was initiated in 1998 by the author of this book; it is a branch of natural computing inspired by the structure and functioning of the living cell and devises distributed parallel computing models in the form of membrane systems, also called P systems.
This book is the first monograph surveying the new field in a systematic and coherent way. It presents the central notions and results: the main classes of P systems, the main results about their computational power and efficiency, a complete bibliography, and a series of open problems and research topics. Thus, the book is indispensible reading for anybody interested in molecular computing.

First monographic presentation of Membrane Computing (P systems) State of the art of the domain Complete bibliography

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Membrane Computing What It Is and What It Is Not.- 2. Prerequisites.- 2.1 The Biological Membrane.- 2.2 The Neuron.- 2.3 Elements of Computability.- 2.4 Bibliographical Notes.- 3. Membrane Systems with SymbolObjects.- 3.1 A Simple Class.- 3.2 Two Examples.- 3.3 The Power of the Simple Class.- 3.4 Basic Extensions.- 3.5 A Formal Definition.- 3.6 Further Extensions.- 3.7 Systems with External Output.- 3.8 Bibliographical Notes.- 4. Trading Evolution for Communication.- 4.1 Systems with Symport/Antiport.- 4.2 Computational Universality.- 4.3 Controls on the Use of Rules.- 4.4 Following the Traces of Objects.- 4.5 Systems with Carriers.- 4.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 5. Structuring the Objects.- 5.1 Rewriting Membrane Systems.- 5.2 Some Variants and Their Power.- 5.3 Splicing Membrane Systems.- 5.4 Contextual Membrane Systems.- 5.5 InsertionDeletion Membrane Systems.- 5.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 6. Networks of Membranes.- 6.1 The Splicing Case.- 6.2 Using Symport/Antiport Rules.- 6.3 Neural-like Networks of Membranes.- 6.4 Bibliographical Notes.- 7. Trading Space for Time.- 7.1 Complexity Classes for Membrane Systems.- 7.2 Using Membrane Division.- 7.3 Using Membrane Creation.- 7.4 Using String Replication.- 7.5 Using Pre-computed Resources.- 7.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 8. Further Technical Results.- 8.1 Decidability Results.- 8.2 Unary Systems.- 8.3 A Representation of Contextfree Languages.- 8.4 Valuating the StringObjects.- 8.5 Systems with Enhanced Membrane Handling.- 8.6 Brief Excursion Through the Literature.- 9. (Attempts to Get) Back to Reality.- 9.1 Getting Closer to the Cell by Energy Accounting.- 9.2 Getting Closer to the Cell by Gemmation.- 9.3 Getting Closer to the Cell: Bilayer Membranes.- 9.4 In Silico Implementations.- 9.5Artificial Life Applications.- 9.6 A Simulation of Photosynthesis.- Open Problems.- Universality Results.- References.