Evolving Boolean Regulatory Networks with Epigenetic Control
This work addresses the problem of understanding epigenetic inheritance in synthetic biology, but it is incremental as it builds on existing Boolean network models.
The paper tackled the role of epigenetic control in Boolean regulatory networks by showing that a DNA methylation-inspired mechanism can be evolved to dynamically control transcription in single and multiple cell scenarios, with the effects being heritable without fitness loss.
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 multiple cell scenarios. Further, it is shown that the effects of such control can be inherited without detriment to fitness.