Mutation at Expanding Front of Self-Replicating Colloidal Clusters

TL;DR

This paper presents a model of self-replicating colloidal clusters that propagate via Fisher waves, incorporating mutations to study evolutionary dynamics in an artificial system through computer simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, simulation-friendly model of self-replicating colloidal clusters with mutation mechanisms, enabling the study of evolution in such systems.

Findings

Self-replication propagates as Fisher waves.

Mutations allow some cluster populations to survive and spread.

The model enables simulation of multiple generations and evolutionary dynamics.

Abstract

We construct a scheme for self-replicating square clusters of particles in two spatial dimensions, and validate it with computer simulations in a finite-temperature heat bath. We find that the self-replication reactions propagate through the bath in the form of Fisher waves. Our model reflects existing colloidal systems, but is simple enough to allow simulation of many generations and thereby the first study of evolutionary dynamics in an artificial system. By introducing spatially localized mutations in the replication rules, we show that the mutated cluster population can survive and spread with the expanding front in circular sectors of the colony.