ALBERT

Description:    Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) approach the genotype–phenotype relationship differently than does nature, and this discrepancy is a recurrent issue among researchers. Moreover, in spite of some performance improvements, it is a fact that biological knowledge has advanced faster than our ability to incorporate novel biological ideas into EAs. Recently, some researchers have started exploring computationally new comprehension of the multitude of the regulatory mechanisms that are fundamental in both processes of inheritance and of development in natural systems, by trying to include those mechanisms in the EAs. One of the first successful proposals was the Artificial Gene Regulatory Network (ARN) model, by Wolfgang Banzhaf. Soon after some variants of the ARN were tested. In this paper, we describe one of those, the Regulatory Network Computational Device, demonstrating experimentally its capabilities. The efficacy and efficiency of this alternative is tested experimentally using typical benchmark problems for Genetic Programming (GP) systems. We devise a modified factorial problem to investigate the use of feedback connections and the scalability of the approach. In order to gain a better understanding about the reasons for the improved quality of the results, we undertake a preliminary study about the role of neutral mutations during the evolutionary process. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-37 DOI 10.1007/s10710-012-9160-y Authors Rui L. Lopes, Center for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal Ernesto Costa, Center for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal Journal Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines Online ISSN 1573-7632 Print ISSN 1389-2576