An opportunity to study for a fully funded PhD with Colin Johnson (Computer Science) and myself: Artificial gene regulatory networks as a new AI paradigm.
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are the primary ways by which living cells are programmed to respond to their environment in real time. They allow for a population of genetically identical cells to behave differently, for example the way the cells in our eyes behave differently from cells in our skin. GRNs evolve in a specific way, allowing them to learn new responses or behaviours from previous patterns without losing existing knowledge. Artificial GRNs (aGRNS), that is, computer implementations of GRNs, have been used to help understand the biology of GRNs. However, they have not been considered as a computational paradigm in their own right.
The aim of this project is to establish aGRNs as a computational AI paradigm. It will involve the implementation of aGRNs using both deterministic and stochastic formulations, and the identification and testing of problem types for which this paradigm is likely to be especially valuable. These include systems that need to switch rapidly between different contexts, and systems that need to transfer learning from one domain to another. These are both important challenges for improving the generalisation of AI systems.
Applicants are expected to have strong computer programming skills and a broad knowledge of artificial intelligence. Some biosciences background would also be beneficial to help understand the concepts, but this could be learned as part of the project if needed.
Full details of the scheme, including how to apply, as well as many other projects on the same scheme, can be found at:
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/computerscience/studywithus/postgraduateresearch/nottinghamdtcinai.aspx
Dov Stekel's Laboratory 