First monographic presentation of Membrane Computing (P systems)

State of the art of the domain

Complete bibliography

1. Introduction: Membrane Computing - What It Is and What It Is Not.- 2. Prerequisites.- 2.1 The Biological Membrane.- 2.2 The Neuron.- 2.3 Elements of Computability.- 2.4 Bibliographical Notes.- 3. Membrane Systems with Symbol-Objects.- 3.1 A Simple Class.- 3.2 Two Examples.- 3.3 The Power of the Simple Class.- 3.4 Basic Extensions.- 3.5 A Formal Definition.- 3.6 Further Extensions.- 3.7 Systems with External Output.- 3.8 Bibliographical Notes.- 4. Trading Evolution for Communication.- 4.1 Systems with Symport/Antiport.- 4.2 Computational Universality.- 4.3 Controls on the Use of Rules.- 4.4 Following the Traces of Objects.- 4.5 Systems with Carriers.- 4.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 5. Structuring the Objects.- 5.1 Rewriting Membrane Systems.- 5.2 Some Variants and Their Power.- 5.3 Splicing Membrane Systems.- 5.4 Contextual Membrane Systems.- 5.5 Insertion-Deletion Membrane Systems.- 5.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 6. Networks of Membranes.- 6.1 The Splicing Case.- 6.2 Using Symport/Antiport Rules.- 6.3 Neural-like Networks of Membranes.- 6.4 Bibliographical Notes.- 7. Trading Space for Time.- 7.1 Complexity Classes for Membrane Systems.- 7.2 Using Membrane Division.- 7.3 Using Membrane Creation.- 7.4 Using String Replication.- 7.5 Using Pre-computed Resources.- 7.6 Bibliographical Notes.- 8. Further Technical Results.- 8.1 Decidability Results.- 8.2 Unary Systems.- 8.3 A Representation of Context-free Languages.- 8.4 Valuating the String-Objects.- 8.5 Systems with Enhanced Membrane Handling.- 8.6 Brief Excursion Through the Literature.- 9. (Attempts to Get) Back to Reality.- 9.1 Getting Closer to the Cell by Energy Accounting.- 9.2 Getting Closer to the Cell by Gemmation.- 9.3 Getting Closer to the Cell: Bilayer Membranes.- 9.4 In Silico Implementations.- 9.5Artificial Life Applications.- 9.6 A Simulation of Photosynthesis.- Open Problems.- Universality Results.- References.