Dynamics of Boolean Networks

Abstract: Boolean networks are special types of finite state time-discrete dynamical systems. A Boolean network can be described by a function from an n-dimensional vector space over the field of two elements to itself. A fundamental problem in studying these dynamical systems is to link their long term behaviors to the structures of the functions that define them. In this paper, a method for deriving a Boolean network's dynamical information via its disjunctive normal form is explained. For a given Boolean network, a matrix with entries 0 and 1 is associated with the polynomial function that represents the network, then the information on the fixed points and the limit cycles is derived by analyzing the matrix. The described method provides an algorithm for the determination of the fixed points from the polynomial expression of a Boolean network. The method can also be used to construct Boolean networks with prescribed limit cycles and fixed points. Examples are provided to explain the algorithm.