Predator-prey dynamics in P systems ruled by metabolic algorithm

P systems are used to compute predator-prey dynamics expressed in the traditional formulation by Lotka and Volterra. By governing the action of the transition rules in such systems using the regulatory features of the metabolic algorithm we come up with simulations of the Lotka-Volterra equations, whose robustness is comparable to that obtained using Runge-Kutta schemes and Gillespie's Stochastic Simulation Algorithm. Besides their reliability, the results obtained using the metabolic algorithm on top of P systems have a clear biochemical interpretation concerning the role, of reactants or promoters, of the species involved. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.