[alife] 2nd CFP: Computing with Biomolecules: From Network Motifs to Complex and Adaptive Systems

[Christof Teuscher]

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SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS

Computing with Biomolecules: From Network Motifs to Complex and Adaptive Systems

To be held as part of the 14th International Conference on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems (Alife 14)
Javits Center, New York, USA, July 30 or 31 (TBD), 2014

Workshop website: http://bit.ly/Alife14BiomoleculesWorkshop

Submission deadline: Apr 26, 2014

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DESCRIPTION:
Computing today faces new challenges in the form of increase in design complexity and serious manufacturing issues. Simultaneously, new applications, such as medicine and biotechnology, cry out for both more computing resources and novel ways of coupling computation to the physical world. The challenges to the conventional way in which computer hardware and software have been built for the past half-century inspire a quest for novel and unconventional computing machines, going beyond standard Boolean logic gates and von Neumann computer architectures. Applications in biotechnology suggest one should seek biocompatible computing substrates for the new computing machines. We will need new paradigms and engineering methods to organize, interact with, and program such machines in order to meet real-world challenges of tomorrow and to guarantee continuing progress in computer science. Biomolecular components are promising building blocks for next-generation computing machines. They have unique properties, such as biocompatibility, adaptability, and manifest ability to self-organize. A systematic understanding of how to build system-level complexity with molecular networks, in the form of engineering principles and abstractions, is called for, if we are to implement general-purpose large-scale molecular circuits, within constraints imposed by the chemical kinetics and interfering side reactions.
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together researchers, postdocs, and students working in the area of computing with biomolecules. We intend the workshop to be a form for the exchange of cutting-edge research in an informal setting. A special focus of the workshop will be directed toward large-scale biomolecular automata that adapt and learn. Such systems typically require the coupling of hundreds to thousands of molecules into complex interactive networks. The workshop will foster discussion of new approaches and visions, and critical reflection on current approaches. In addition to regular presentations, we plan to organize one invited talk given by a luminary in the field. Last but not least, the forum will allow us to probe the fundamental similarities and differences between information processing in biochemical ("living") systems and digital/electronic ("computer") systems.

IMPORTANT DATES:
- Paper submission: Apr 26, 2014
- Author notification: May 12, 2014
- Workshop date: Jul 30, 2014
- Special issue paper submission: Aug 30, 2014

SUBMISSIONS:
For the workshop, we solicit 4-page concept papers. We particularly encourage submissions that focus on large-scale biomolecular automata that adapt and learn, new approaches and visions, and critical reflections on current approaches.
Formatting guidelines: https://www.oldcitypublishing.com/IJUC/IJUCcontributornotes.html
Page limit: 4
Selection process: The organizers will select concept papers that meet Alife 14 quality standards, are a good fit for the workshop, and are likely to lead to fruitful discussions. 

SPECIAL ISSUE:
We will solicit submissions for a special issue of the International Journal of Unconventional Computing after the workshop.

STUDENT TRAVEL SUPPORT:
We may have a limited number of student travel grants available. More info will be posted on the workshop website as it becomes available.

ORGANIZERS:
- Christof Teuscher, Portland State University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, http://www.teuscher-lab.com
- Darko Stefanovic, University of New Mexico, Department of Computer Science, http://www.cs.unm.edu/~darko
- Milan N. Stojanovic, Columbia University, Department of Medicine