Figure 3.

Polycomputing architectures in biology. (A) 3D computer rendering of a eukaryotic cell modeled using X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and cryo-electron microscopy datasets for all its molecular actors. The image was created by Evan Ingersoll and Gaël McGill (Digizyme Inc.) and illustrates the pressure on biology to have each component perform multiple duties (there is not much room to add additional components); this image shows a dilute cytoplasm relative to a real cell). Used with permission. (B) Multi-scale competency architecture of life consists of molecular networks which make up cells, which make up tissues, which make up organs, which make up organisms within swarms. Each layer is performing specific functions simultaneously; for example, the tissue layer is attempting to compute the correct attractor for the collective morphogenetic behavior of planarian fragment cells, which can build one of several head shapes). Each layer deforms the action landscape for the layer below it, providing incentives and shaping geodesics that force the lower-level components to use their behaviors in service of the higher level’s goals. Taken with permission from [22]. Images in panel B by Jeremy Guay of Peregrine Creative Inc. and Alexis Pietak.