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Aims and Objectives

To investigate the distinction between physical and computational simulation. We will take an existing MAS-based computational simulation of a biological system (stem cells from the adult human body) and adapt this code to drive physical objects and control light and temperature in 3D spaces.

To develop a hybrid methodology using existing methods from both the arts and sciences that includes process-based research methods, where goals are not specifically pre-determined.

To develop a common conceptual framework that enables a shared understanding of our disparate theoretical concepts, cultures, methods and languages.

To build a software simulation tool for simulating new theories of stem cell behaviour and organisation. The simulation will include representations at three distinct, but related, levels of abstraction. The first representation will be a cellular automata one, the second will be designed from a MAS stance but where the environment is discrete, and the final representation will be of autonomous agents acting in a continuous environment. This tool will investigate new theories of stem cells and explore the relationship and distinction between the CA approach and the MAS one. Whilst many theories of stem cells have been caged in terms of cellular automata no system has yet been built using the MAS approach.

We will investigate our current view that a useful model for engaging in successful interdisciplinary research is one where researchers collectively converge on an agreed subject; then engage, collectively and individually, in sustained enquiry (using methods suitable to each researchers discipline); and lastly diverge to produce a range of outputs such as academic publications, products, patents, simulations, artworks and so on). Central to this notion of the importance of divergence is that the collaborative research produces at least one output that can stand up to peer-review in each of the disciplines involved in the group.

To investigate and document the cultural similarities and differences between the disciplines of MAS and CA (ie discrete versus continuous) and explore how the distinction manifests itself at different levels including simulation, visualisation and physicalisation.