Distributed online evolution: An algebraic problem?

Evolutionary computing in general and distributed online evolutionary computation in particular are hard problems in terms of monitoring, evaluation, generating functionality, and performance. We strive to complement current approaches and develop mechanisms which do not require the ex post effort of controlling the outcome of the computation. Instead, the goal of our research agenda foresees techniques which allow evolutionary and distributed computing to solve the problems above a priori. To support such an intrinsic system we make use of the powerful tool of algebra. Thus, this paper sheds some light on algebraic theories which allow the establishment of strong connections between biological concepts, automata theory, and the algebraic theories associated with them. We compile various contributions from different areas of research of the last few years discussing the algebraisation of biological systems and functions and their relation to automata theory and algebra. We highlight the role of category theory and abstract algebra and outline why these concepts are highly relevant for computational approaches inspired by biological mechanisms.