Advances on protein folding simulations based on the lattice HP models with natural computing

This paper introduces the hydrophobic-polar (HP) models and several natural computing approaches. The biological background of the protein structure prediction, the Levinthal paradox and HP model are firstly revised. Subsequently the evolutionary algorithm, memetic algorithm, ant colony optimization algorithm, tabu search, self organizing map-based iterative approaches and the typical chain growth computing approaches are reviewed. The advantages/disadvantages of various computing approaches and the current optimal results are introduced. Finally, the promising model and computing approaches are discussed.