Problem:

I'm a computer programmer deeply interested in Biology.

I wish to write a computer simulation for cell differentiation. I understand there will be seemingly impossible challenges in doing this.

Please answers to some basic questions.

Question 1: I've learned that a zygote turns into 'embryonic stem cells' which results in the organism. How does the zygote turn into embryonic cells?

Question 2: What are the factors that determine the specialization of embryonic stem cells into more specialized types of cells and how does this transformation take place physically?

Question 3: Where is the data stored which acts as the "guide" for all these processes? Is it stored in the DNA? If it's stored in the DNA , is it known how the cells interpret the information in the DNA?

What are some textbooks I should be referring for this project? Please suggest.