An immune system without tissue is like evolution without genes. Something very important is missing. Here we present the novel concept of tissue for artificial immune systems. Much like the genetic representation of genetic algorithms, tissue provides an interface between problem and immune algorithm. Two tissue-growing algorithms are presented with experimental results illustrating their abilities to dynamically cluster data and provide useful signals. The use of tissue to provide an innate immune response driving the adaptive response of conventional immune algorithms is then discussed.
Peter J. Bentley, Julie Greensmith, Supiya Ujjin