In this post, I would like to write about an interesting application of game theory. A collaborative research with Rice University and Tel Aviv University has recently published a research paper that bacterias, just like us, follow the rules of game theory.
Bacterias, are single cell microorganisms that usually live as a group. When this group of bacterias commit the same action,this is how we obtain serious illnesses. In order for them to commit the same action altogether, communication between each other is essential. This is where game theory comes in.
The type of game theory that can be applied in this instance is prisoner’s dilemma, which is an example of game theory that will be defined and explained in my future posts. Right now, I will only provide a simple definition of prisoner’s dilemma. According to Oxford Dictionary, prisoner’s dilemma is a “(In game theory) a situation in which two players each have two options whose outcome depends crucially on the simultaneous choice made by the other, often formulated in terms of two prisoners separately deciding whether to confess to a crime.”
Researchers have found out that prisoner’s dilemma can be applied to bacterias since they also communicate with each other through chemical signals, just like how we, humans, interact with others. I won’t go further into detail, since it is on an example that we haven’t discussed much about. However, if you are interested, you can check out this article in Rice University News by following this link.
Sources:
“Definition of Prisoner’s Dilemma in English:.” Prisoner’s Dilemma. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
Boyd, Jade. “Bacteria Use Chat to Play the ‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’ Game.” Rice University News & Media 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.
The Wonderful World of Algorithms 