Evolving Diploid Boolean and Multi-Valued Gene Networks

Abstract: Boolean networks have been widely used to explore aspects of gene regulation, traditionally with a single network. A modified form of the model to explore the effects of increasing the number of gene states has also recently been introduced. In this paper, these discrete dynamical networks are evolved as diploids within rugged fitness landscapes to explore their behaviour. Results suggest the general properties of haploid networks in similar circumstances remain for diploids. The previously proposed inherent fitness landscape smoothing properties of eukaryotic sex are shown to be exhibited in these dynamical systems, as is their propensity to change in size based upon the characteristics of the network and fitness landscape.