January 2010 PMID 20093467

Rules for biologically inspired adaptive network design.

Atsushi Tero, Seiji Takagi, Tetsu Saigusa, Kentaro Ito, Dan P Bebber, Mark D Fricker, Kenji Yumiki, Ryo Kobayashi, Toshiyuki Nakagaki

Mentions

191
Peak: 19 in Jun 2023
across 7 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

5,857,234
potential audience

Total likes

160,863

Video views

4,844,681

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News70 articles
  • X / Twitter66 posts
  • Blogs41 articles
  • Facebook8 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several posts reflect on the innovative use of slime molds in network modeling, such as mentions of how researchers demonstrated the slime mold's ability to replicate the efficient layout of the Tokyo railway. Phrases like 'a much cheaper alternative would be to use a slime mold computer' and 'an organism without a brain achieved something similar to the best network in the world' indicate a tone of excitement and admiration for nature's problem-solving capabilities, contributing to a positive overall sentiment.

AgreementStrong agreement

The majority of discussions express strong alignment with the ideas presented in the publication, highlighting the significance of biologically inspired network design.

InterestHigh interest

There is considerable enthusiasm for the paper, with many users actively engaging and sharing information about its findings.

EngagementHigh engagement

Contributors dive deep into the concepts, often referencing specific experiments, models, and real-world applications related to the study.

ImpactHigh impact

Participants widely recognize the potential implications of the research on future network construction and design practices.

Abstract in brief

  • Transport networks are essential in both social and biological contexts, balancing cost, efficiency, and fault tolerance.
  • Biological systems, shaped by evolution, have adapted to optimize networks, potentially providing practical solutions to complex network design challenges.
  • The slime mold Physarum polycephalum demonstrates that biological networks can achieve efficiency and reliability similar to human-made systems, like the Tokyo rail network, and can inform future network construction through a mathematical model.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ariel López
@arieIIopez · X

Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el moho creó conexiones similares al metro de Tokio. Un organismo sin cerebro logró algo similar a la mejor red del mundo, asombroso https://t.co/MzSyJWv3BM https://t.co/FHP97uPLqk

Jun 19, 2023 · 68 likes · 19 shares · 10,379 followers View post →
Fermat's Library
@fermatslibrary · X

You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Mar 18, 2025 · 27 likes · 4 shares · 783,588 followers View post →
salta-pocinhas
@theodora_julia · X

fazer que nem os cientistas e engenheiros de tráfego japoneses, deixar fungos darem a direção da minha vida assim como eles os deixaram direcionar a malha ferroviária de tóquio https://t.co/ZIkjQgmu4V

Aug 17, 2022 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 833 followers View post →
Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
@yudhanjaya · X

This is Tero, A., Takagi, S., Saigusa, T., Ito, K., Bebber, D. P., Fricker, M. D., ... & Nakagaki, T. (2010). Rules for biologically inspired adaptive network design. Science, 327(5964), 439-442. https://t.co/6S7e1tKW5Z

May 20, 2021 · 7 likes · 1 share · 14,564 followers View post →
IXO World
@ixoworld · X

Fun fact Friday!

May 26, 2023 · 6 likes · 5,935 followers View post →
Habitual B
@BrianAtkinology · X

Tero et al 2010 used this to argue for the utility of biologically inspired mathematical models to help guide network construction! Ref: Tero et al 2010 Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 327:439-442 8/n (I ain't done).

Oct 9, 2019 · 6 likes · 2,040 followers View post →

All mentions

Discovering Habituation in Smart Slime Moulds

Researchers demonstrate that the slime mould Physarum polycephalum can exhibit habituation, a form of learning typically associated with neural organisms. This groundbreaking discovery suggests non-neural organisms…

Ze Frank · Jan 31, 2023 3,904,862 views
wind
@windglide · X

RT @fermatslibrary: You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Jun 23, 2025 · 4 shares · 132 followers View post →
The Web³ Saint
@iamsaintisrael · X

-tralized consensus, but make it slime. > Reference: Tero et al., Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design, Science, 2010.

May 28, 2025 · 698 followers View post →
JGM
@jguerrevier · X

@PabloGrueso @Recuenco @polymatas https://t.co/znTB2FZGFh

May 25, 2025 · 1 like · 271 followers View post →
Eddie
@skeptikons · X

https://t.co/VxsA23i9Cz

May 10, 2025 · 856 followers View post →
Scary Hag
@scary_hag · X

@A_Firend3 yoooo i was just reading this one!!! https://t.co/DmS2Bh5bKx

Apr 18, 2025 · 1 like · 1,851 followers View post →
Hind
@guusjink04 · X

https://t.co/YRUBHr50SM https://t.co/zmg8AG0DfI

Mar 24, 2025 · 163 followers View post →
CivilisatioTransform
@CapabilitYes · X

RT @fermatslibrary: You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Mar 20, 2025 · 4 shares · 242 followers View post →
isa ismail
@isa_ismail62028 · X

RT @fermatslibrary: You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Mar 19, 2025 · 4 shares · 2,326 followers View post →
Dutch
@mariojoseh555 · X

RT @fermatslibrary: You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Mar 18, 2025 · 4 shares · 1,843 followers View post →
Fermat's Library
@fermatslibrary · X

You can read the annotated paper here: https://t.co/6PsxYR9mJh

Mar 18, 2025 · 27 likes · 4 shares · 783,588 followers View post →
Cameron A. Schmidt, PhD
@CAS_ReproLab · X

Back in 2010 researchers placed food sources ('cities') on a map of the Tokyo area. An amoeboid slime mold developed a network between sources similar to the Tokyo rail system in efficiency and redundancy. #ComplexSystems https://t.co/H1DCihNe9Q

Mar 17, 2025 · 4 likes · 1,430 followers View post →
Michel Bauwens
@mbauwens · X

Not the mycelium, but the slime mold as example of transport engineering: * Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/C34aQDUkRy

Jan 1, 2025 · 2 likes · 19,818 followers View post →
Kiyoaki Okudaira
@Kiyoaki_Aero · X

今日聴いてる学会のある発表の参考文献,面白い https://t.co/VMNPY2BpzZ

Nov 14, 2024 · 1 like · 104 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

RT @angryhacademic: Fun fact: although slime mould exhibits behaviours similar to fungi, plants, and animals, they are amoebae that make sp…

Oct 26, 2024 · 1 share · 8,758 followers View post →
Ave Miller SECTA
@AveMillerSecta · X

@juanif17 https://t.co/ve4ta5TYFa

Sep 17, 2024 · 4 likes · 458 followers View post →
Dulwich Quantum Computing
@DulwichQuantum · X

@SeskirZeki @neirenoir Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism https://t.co/V5I2CP0eWL Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/5uYEHYDzG2

Feb 17, 2024 · 2 likes · 5,754 followers View post →
n_i7r
@n_i7r · X

https://t.co/dHSWP5PrpL

Feb 6, 2024 · 1 like · 395 followers View post →
Dulwich Quantum Computing
@DulwichQuantum · X

"Separately, companies like BMW are investigating the use of quantum computers to identify optimal locations to install electric vehicle charging stations." A much cheaper (and potentially more serious) alternative would be to use a slime mold computer. https://t.co/hhEN4IGz9l https://t.co/v9KPSdlMeT

Jan 2, 2024 · 1 like · 5,754 followers View post →
Biciraptorr
@Biciraptorr · X

RT @E7VZO: Acá les dejo el paper fundacional de este hilo. https://t.co/GQhs2fE2CO

Nov 30, 2023 · 1 share · 1,688 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Fun fact: although slime mould exhibits behaviours similar to fungi, plants, and animals, they are amoebae that make spores. These spores create networks that can even simulate road and rail networks https://t.co/JDNI1BXO4O https://t.co/6n8gInJ95V Watch: https://t.co/ZC2QaD7li9 https://t.co/UvVKxPagA5

Oct 26, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,758 followers View post →
Otro Científico
@Otro_Cientifico · X

Como siempre les dejo la fuente de información. Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design DOI: 10.1126/science.1177894 Aquí les dejo un link con el articulo por si quieren leerlo y saber mas sobre el modelo matematico. https://t.co/yLm78BRs84

Aug 3, 2023 · 2 likes · 18 followers View post →
juan contreras vejar
@contreras_vejar · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 21, 2023 · 19 shares · 209 followers View post →
Julio Jara Pérez
@juliojarap · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 21, 2023 · 19 shares · 94 followers View post →
fer
@RivasVillarroel · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 83 followers View post →
ignacio
@felideconce · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 589 followers View post →
Maximiliano Salas
@Carislavia · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 548 followers View post →
Moises (not bot)
@moises18102019 · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 906 followers View post →
Juan E
@jesuberca · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 238 followers View post →
Carlos Bonifetti del 38%
@Carlos72424037 · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 2,082 followers View post →
Hugo Marchant
@Contimasque · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 20, 2023 · 19 shares · 3,639 followers View post →
RecorridoMicrosBuses
@RecMicrosyBuses · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 2,325 followers View post →
Juan Pablo López P.
@JPLopezpozo · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 758 followers View post →
Bárbara
@bcovarrubias · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 4,891 followers View post →
Loreta
@loretay · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 5,823 followers View post →
oscar prohens
@oprohens · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 2,505 followers View post →
openmapchile (OMCh)
@openmapchile · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 2,184 followers View post →
Matías González
@matigonzalezv · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 597 followers View post →
Daniel Cárdenas J
@dlcj_ingmov · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 1,600 followers View post →
Alejandro
@AlejandroSig · X

RT @arieIIopez: Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el…

Jun 19, 2023 · 19 shares · 5,262 followers View post →
Ariel López
@arieIIopez · X

Un estudio japonés (Tero et al, 2010) utilizó moho para evaluar la red de transporte de Tokio, ante barreras similares el moho creó conexiones similares al metro de Tokio. Un organismo sin cerebro logró algo similar a la mejor red del mundo, asombroso https://t.co/MzSyJWv3BM https://t.co/FHP97uPLqk

Jun 19, 2023 · 68 likes · 19 shares · 10,379 followers View post →
IXO World
@ixoworld · X

Fun fact Friday!

May 26, 2023 · 6 likes · 5,935 followers View post →
נעם רבלין
@noamrivlin · X

@Eran_Efrat תתחיל באלו: https://t.co/zJ4WfI9Ffl https://t.co/DHxYvKVfTA והכי מפורסם: https://t.co/9s6jRBkCQX

May 20, 2023 · 1 like · 691 followers View post →
저성능자전거 뚜룬
@dulunsche · X

2008년에 이그노벨 인지과학상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1038/35035159)와 2010년에 이그노벨 운송계획상을 수상한 연구(doi: 10.1126/science.1177894) 모두 나카가키 토시유키 교수 연구팀이 수행했다고 한다. 그 뒤로 다른 연구자들도 황색망사점균의 학습 능력을 증명하거나 메커니즘을 연구했다고.

Mar 25, 2023 · 4 likes · 908 followers View post →
ivacheung.com
@ivacheung.com · Bluesky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_GTIL7AECQ

Jan 31, 2023 View post →
Thor Ezby
@EzbyThor · X

RT @JonathonPSine: Researchers found in 2010 that slime molds—when exposed to oat flakes distributed in the pattern of Tokyo rail stops—cou…

Dec 29, 2022 · 1 share · 697 followers View post →
Jonathon P Sine
@JonathonPSine · X

Researchers found in 2010 that slime molds—when exposed to oat flakes distributed in the pattern of Tokyo rail stops—could rapidly and reliably flesh out a network structure of comparable efficiency, fault tolerance, and cost to that of human planners. https://t.co/hSPnXEYPNY

Dec 29, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 9,821 followers View post →
Angelica Batista
@ambatistam · X

Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/aDyVBURTC1

Sep 17, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,889 followers View post →
Angelica Batista
@ambatistam · X

Del 2010 pero aún inspiradora. Lectura para hoy Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design https://t.co/aDyVBURTC1

Sep 17, 2022 · 4 likes · 1,889 followers View post →
Myrtille Gardet @myrtille.gardet.bsky.social
@MyrtilleGardet · X

Deux ans plus tard, il est primé pour cet article publié dans #Science https://t.co/714IveVQS4

Sep 8, 2022 · 2,222 followers View post →
lamha
@lnrdlmh · X

RT @theodora_julia: fazer que nem os cientistas e engenheiros de tráfego japoneses, deixar fungos darem a direção da minha vida assim como…

Aug 17, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,434 followers View post →
salta-pocinhas
@theodora_julia · X

fazer que nem os cientistas e engenheiros de tráfego japoneses, deixar fungos darem a direção da minha vida assim como eles os deixaram direcionar a malha ferroviária de tóquio https://t.co/ZIkjQgmu4V

Aug 17, 2022 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 833 followers View post →
Boquinha de algodão
@bocadealgodao_ · X

Gente Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://t.co/zyYDeURFsK [accessed 9 Aug, 2022]

Aug 9, 2022 · 350 followers View post →
UST Microbiology Society
@UST_MicroSoc · X

Tero, A., Takagi, S., Saigusa, T., Ito, K., Bebber, D. P., Fricker, M. D., ... & Nakagaki, T. (2010). Rules for biologically inspired adaptive network design. Science, 327(5964), 439-442. Retrieved from https://t.co/deolEUwCXJ

Oct 30, 2021 · 2 likes · 464 followers View post →
Eduardo Gonzaga
@E7VZO · X

Acá les dejo el paper fundacional de este hilo. https://t.co/GQhs2fE2CO

Sep 11, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 6,469 followers View post →
Dr. Natasha Cowley
@_NatashaCowley · X

The rail network paper: https://t.co/zF9JuBn71F The maze solving paper: https://t.co/XfPcv1gEHr

Sep 10, 2021 · 4 likes · 232 followers View post →
Rebecca Glaessner on hiatus; revising sci-fi debut
@R_Glaessner · X

RT @yudhanjaya: This is Tero, A., Takagi, S., Saigusa, T., Ito, K., Bebber, D. P., Fricker, M. D., ... & Nakagaki, T. (2010). Rules for bio…

May 20, 2021 · 1 share · 3,914 followers View post →
Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
@yudhanjaya · X

This is Tero, A., Takagi, S., Saigusa, T., Ito, K., Bebber, D. P., Fricker, M. D., ... & Nakagaki, T. (2010). Rules for biologically inspired adaptive network design. Science, 327(5964), 439-442. https://t.co/6S7e1tKW5Z

May 20, 2021 · 7 likes · 1 share · 14,564 followers View post →
O₿iWan
@ObiWanKenoBit · X

@mrauchs “Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design” by Tero et al. Slime mold decentralized transportation network design mimicking Tokyo railway.

Feb 25, 2020 · 1 like · 11,620 followers View post →
ꙮMantis Space Marine
@emccoy_writer · X

RT @chai_tan_ya: @JayeHarrill @Rainmaker1973 The Nakagaki group did expts originally with topography and overlaid the network they got with…

Dec 4, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,109 followers View post →
foxgrrl
@foxgrrl · X

RT @chai_tan_ya: @JayeHarrill @Rainmaker1973 The Nakagaki group did expts originally with topography and overlaid the network they got with…

Dec 4, 2019 · 3 shares · 2,763 followers View post →
Atul Ahire
@atulsahire · X

RT @chai_tan_ya: @JayeHarrill @Rainmaker1973 The Nakagaki group did expts originally with topography and overlaid the network they got with…

Dec 3, 2019 · 3 shares · 41 followers View post →
Athale Lab: CyCelS
@AthaleLab · X

3/ The original paper: Tero et al. (2010) Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design Science 327(5964):439-42

Dec 3, 2019 · 1,509 followers View post →
Athale Lab: CyCelS
@AthaleLab · X

@JayeHarrill @Rainmaker1973 The Nakagaki group did expts originally with topography and overlaid the network they got with the actual map. Tero et al. (2010) Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design Science 327(5964):439-42 https://t.co/up09kOUEiy

Dec 3, 2019 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 1,509 followers View post →
Sarah Jamie Lewis
@SarahJamieLewis · X

@munin Researchers have used hot lamps to simulate terrain to make slime mold paths along less desirable terrain less likely - and the result tends to be fairly representative of the real world solution (see this example using the tokyo rail network https://t.co/iYb9roozQt)

Dec 2, 2019 · 5 likes · 30,823 followers View post →
Habitual B
@BrianAtkinology · X

Tero et al 2010 used this to argue for the utility of biologically inspired mathematical models to help guide network construction! Ref: Tero et al 2010 Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 327:439-442 8/n (I ain't done).

Oct 9, 2019 · 6 likes · 2,040 followers View post →
Frank
@der_schneewolf · X

RT @realsci_DE: Ja, Physarum polycephalum, ein gelber Schleimpilz kann sich durch Wachstum durch Labyrinthe fressen und benutzt dabei Algor…

Feb 27, 2019 · 2 shares · 319 followers View post →
Real Scientists DE
@realsci_DE · X

Ja, Physarum polycephalum, ein gelber Schleimpilz kann sich durch Wachstum durch Labyrinthe fressen und benutzt dabei Algorithmen: Tero et al. 2010. Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 10.1126/science.1177894 https://t.co/WVHQqq8akJ

Feb 27, 2019 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 18,071 followers View post →