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Abstract

We present Spatial P systems, a variant of P systems which embodies the concept of space and position inside a membrane. Objects in membranes are associated with positions. Rules specify, in the usual way, the objects which are consumed and the ones which are produced; in addition, they can specify the positions of the produced objects. Objects belong to two different sets: the set of ordinary objects and the set of mutually exclusive objects. Every position inside a membrane can accommodate an arbitrary number of ordinary objects, but at most one mutually exclusive object. We prove that Spatial P systems are universal even if only non-cooperating rules are allowed. We also show how Spatial P systems can be used to model the evolution of populations in presence of geographical separations.

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Correspondence to Giovanni Pardini.

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Barbuti, R., Maggiolo-Schettini, A., Milazzo, P. et al. Spatial P systems. Nat Comput 10, 3–16 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-010-9187-z

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