A novel variant of P systems for the modelling and simulation of biochemical systems

In the last decade, different computing paradigms and modelling frameworks for the description and simulation of biochemical systems have been proposed. Here, we consider membrane systems, in particular, tissue P systems and ?-DPP, for the development of a novel variant of membrane systems with sizes associated to the volumes involved in the structure and to the molecular species occurring inside the system. Moreover, this variant allows the communication of objects among non adjacent membranes arranged in a hybrid structure, that is, organised in a tissue-like fashion where nodes can have a complex internal structure. The features presented in the new variant of P systems can be used to describe, among others, reaction-diffusion systems, where molecules are involved both in chemical reactions and diffusive processes, and their movements depend on the free space of the volumes; or systems where exist privileged pathways between membranes, which are inspired by the role of microtubule in protein transport within the intracellular space. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.