1. 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

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

3. 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:

4. 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

5. 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

6. MEMS/NEMS: http://www.fujita3.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/
Nanomachines
Artificial nanomachines
Nickel propeller
Size: 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:

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

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

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

10. <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

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

12. Molecular Communication
Sending and receiving of molecules as an information carrier

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. A receiver Molecule reception Molecule decoding
Molecule decomposition or recycling

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 1-n communication (broadcasting medium)

21. 1-1 communication

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

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

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

25. Example Networking Switching the direction of signaling
External signal

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

27. 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.

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

29. 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

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