Applications of Search in Biology: Some Open Problems - Search Theory: A Game Theoretic Perspective - page 282

Chapter 18
Applications of Search in Biology:
Some Open Problems
Jon Pitchford
Abstract The theory of search and rendezvous can be applied to answer real world
problems which are both interesting and of practical importance. Here I provide
a personal account of where existing theories may need modification in order to
tackle the uncomfortable complexities of biology, and argue that in many cases these
modifications are tractable. Finally, three open problems in the application of search
theory to biological systems are presented: how should a fish swim; how do plant
roots exploit patchy nutrients; and why do animals form groups?
18.1 Introduction
Biology is an exciting place to do research. While Euclid's mathematical proofs
are immutable, current technological advances force biologists to rewrite their text-
books every few years. The basic elements do not change: life involves things mak-
ing entire-but-imperfect copies of themselves by encoding information chemically
in DNA or RNA. Evolutionary forces within and between species and environment
shape long-term changes. However, our ability to quantify and systematise details
of the underlying processes is expanding at a tremendous rate. The emerging fields
of post-genomic biology are shifting the emphasis away from simply (!) reading
sequences of DNA code, and towards complex systems of feedbacks across a range
of time scales and embedded within heterogeneous and dynamic environments.
The mathematics of search and rendezvous is elegant and compelling in its own
right, and is further enhanced by accurate computations and careful data analysis.
If these methods can be adapted to intersect with questions emerging from biology,
then the prospects for important biological breakthroughs driven by mathematical