A Theory of Dierentiation with Dynamic Clustering

A novel theory for cell di erentiation is proposed, based on simulations with interacting arti cial cells which have metabolic networks within, and divide into two when the nal product is accumulated. Results of simulations with coupled chemical networks and division process lead to the following scenario of the di erentiation: Up to some numbers of cells, divisions bring about almost identical cells with synchronized metabolic oscillations. As the number is increased the oscillations lose the synchrony, leading to groups of cells with di erent phases of oscillations. At later stage this di erentiation is xed in time, and cells spilt into groups with di erent chemical constituents spontaneously, which are transmitted to daughter cells by cell divisions. Hierarchical di erentiation, origin of stem cells, and anomalous di erentiation by transplantations are also discussed with relevance to real biological experimental results. (