A Design of a Molecular Communication System Using Biological Communication Mechanisms T. Nakano*, A. Enomoto*, M. Moore*, R. Egashira*, T. Suda*, K. Oiwa +, Y. Hiraoka +, T. Haraguchi+, R. Nakamori+, T. Koujin+ *University of California, Irvine +National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Outline Nanomachine communication Molecular communication Conclusions Nanomachines Our approach Molecular communication Example systems Conclusions

Nanomachine Communication Goal Achieve communication between nanomachines Nanomachine: nano-scale or molecular scale objects that are capable of performing simple tasks Figure: “Protonic Nanomachin Project”, Prof. Namba at Osaka University: http://www.npn.jst.go.jp/index.html

Nanomachines Biological nanomachines Dynein F1ATPase Bacterium Molecular motors that walk along microtubule in a cell F1ATPase Synthesizes ATP (energy) by using an influx of protons to rotate Bacterium Swims toward the chemicals (e.g, food) using flagellum Bacterium Dynein Figures: Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell F1ATPase

Nanomachines Biological nanomachines logic gates made of biological components (e.g, enzymes or bacteria) If both substrate and effector exist, product produced If no effector or no substrate, substrate remains unchanged S AND P C Enzyme Product Substrate Effector

MEMS/NEMS: http://www.fujita3.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ Nanomachines Artificial nanomachines Nickel propeller Size: 0.75 - 1.5 um Micron motor Size: 100 um in diameter 10,000 rpm “Engineering Issues in the fabrication of a hybrid nano-propeller system powered by F1-ATPase” MEMS/NEMS: http://www.fujita3.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

Our Approach Use communication mechanisms that biological systems use Intracellular communication Intercellular communication

Intracellular Communication Transport materials using molecular motors within a cell Microtubules Vesicles transported by molecular motors

Intercellular communication Cells coordinate through calcium signaling 3 6 9 12 15 24 210 J. Cell Biol. Jørgensen et al. 139 (2): 497, 1997

<Bio nano-machine communication> Applications Pinpoint drug delivery To deliver drug to (targeted) cancer cells Molecular computing Coordination among distributed logical gates S <Bio nano-machine communication> AND P C AND Enzyme Product Substrate Effector OR AND

Outline Nanomachine communication Molecular communication Conclusions Nanomachines Our approach Molecular communication Example systems Conclusions

Molecular Communication Sending and receiving of molecules as an information carrier

Make nanomachines communicate using communication mechanisms in living organisms Senders/receivers = biological nanomachines Communication carrier = molecules (e.g., proteins, ions, DNAs) Communication distance = nano/micro scale A receiver (chemically/physically) reacts to incoming molecules

Senders (nanomachines) Receivers (nanomachines) 5. Decoding 1. Encoding 4. Receiving 2. Sending 3. Propagation Senders (nanomachines) Receivers (nanomachines) Information molecules (Proteins, ions, DNA)

Key System Components A sender Propagation Molecule generation Molecule encoding Molecule emission Propagation Molecule loading at a sender Direction control Molecule unloading at a receiver Molecule recycling

A receiver Molecule reception Molecule decoding Molecule decomposition or recycling

System Characteristics We want the system to be Autonomous (i.e., no human control) Closed (i.e., no energy supply from outside) Recycling (of carrier molecules and information molecules) Other system characteristics Probabilistic behavior Many to many communication Slow delivery of molecules

Two Example Systems Molecular Communication Using a cellular network Using molecular motors

Example 1: Molecular Communication Based on a Cellular Network Network of Biological Cells Encoding information on calcium waves Engineering the network components using cells Decoding information from calcium waves Various cellular responses (e.g., contraction, secretion, growth, death) Amplifier Switch

1-n communication (broadcasting medium)

1-1 communication

Gap Junctions Nanoscale protein channels connecting two adjacent cells Allowing small molecules to be shared among cells, enabling coordinated action of the cells

Example Networking Filtering signals Signal X is more permeable to channels formed between the cells

Example Networking Filtering signals Signal Y is more permeable to channels formed between the cells

Example Networking Switching the direction of signaling External signal

Example Networking Switching the direction of signaling Phosphorylation of channels increases/decreases permeability of the channels.

Example 2: Molecular Communication Using Molecular Motors Nanomachines communicate using molecular motors. Molecules are transported by molecular motors that walk over a network of rail molecules. Let me introduce, our molecular motor based molecular communication. This is our rough target system image.

Outline Nanomachine communication Molecular communication Conclusions Nanomachines Our approach Molecular communication Example systems Conclusions

Research Issues Developing applications that require communication among bio nanomachines System designs using biological communication mechanisms Autonomous, closed, recycling system Various system components Creating new “information” and “coding” concepts and models Various approaches Feasibility test through experiments Theoretical modeling and analysis Simulations

Conclusions Molecular Communication New paradigm Need a lot of research Integrating nano technology, bio technology and computer science