Letter abstract


Nature Physics 2, 532 - 536 (2006)
doi:10.1038/nphys359

Subject Categories: Statistical physics, thermodynamics and nonlinear dynamics | Biological physics

Effects of topology on network evolution

Panos Oikonomou and Philippe Cluzel

Top

The ubiquity of scale-free topology in nature raises the question of whether this particular network design confers an evolutionary advantage1. A series of studies has identified key principles controlling the growth and the dynamics of scale-free networks2, 3, 4. Here, we use neuron-based networks of boolean components as a framework for modelling a large class of dynamical behaviours in both natural and artificial systems5, 6, 7. Applying a training algorithm, we characterize how networks with distinct topologies evolve towards a pre-established target function through a process of random mutations and selection8, 9, 10. We find that homogeneous random networks and scale-free networks exhibit drastically different evolutionary paths. Whereas homogeneous random networks accumulate neutral mutations and evolve by sparse punctuated steps11, 12, scale-free networks evolve rapidly and continuously. Remarkably, this latter property is robust to variations of the degree exponent. In contrast, homogeneous random networks require a specific tuning of their connectivity to optimize their ability to evolve. These results highlight an organizing principle that governs the evolution of complex networks and that can improve the design of engineered systems.

Top
  1. The James Franck Institute and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Gordon Center for Integrative Science, 929 E. 57th St, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA

Correspondence to: Panos Oikonomou e-mail: poikonom@uchicago.edu

Correspondence to: Philippe Cluzel e-mail: cluzel@uchicago.edu

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Penetrating insights into pore formation

Nature Structural Biology News and Views (01 Feb 1997)

How robust is the Internet?

Nature News and Views (27 Jul 2000)

See all 5 matches for News And Views

Extra navigation

Subscribe to Nature Physics

Subscribe

Open Innovation Challenges

  • Highly Charged Hydrogel without Ion Condensation

    • Deadline: Aug 24 2009
    • Reward: $50,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for experimental ways to avoid ion condensation in highly charged, crosslinked...

  • Mitigating Zinc Corrosion

    • Deadline: Aug 23 2009
    • Reward: $20,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for novel methods to mitigate zinc corrosion/gassing in alkaline media. This ...

naturejobs

  • Postdoctoral position in Neuroscience

    • Bioengineering Institute (University Miguel Hernández) and CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine)
    • Elche, SPAIN
  • Director of NMR

    • New York Structural Biology Center
    • New York, New York

ADVERTISEMENT