Abstract
An artificial chemistry is embedded in a triangular planar graph􏰁 giving the molecules the possibility to act only locally along the edges􏰂. We observe the formation of effectively separated components in the graph structure􏰂. Those components are kept differentiated by elastic reactions from molecules generated inside the component itself􏰂. We interpret those components as self􏰊-maintaining cells and the elastic nodes as their membrane􏰂. The possibilities for these cells to be autopoietic are discussed􏰂.