8,580 research outputs found
Chemical communication between synthetic and natural cells: a possible experimental design
The bottom-up construction of synthetic cells is one of the most intriguing
and interesting research arenas in synthetic biology. Synthetic cells are built
by encapsulating biomolecules inside lipid vesicles (liposomes), allowing the
synthesis of one or more functional proteins. Thanks to the in situ synthesized
proteins, synthetic cells become able to perform several biomolecular
functions, which can be exploited for a large variety of applications. This
paves the way to several advanced uses of synthetic cells in basic science and
biotechnology, thanks to their versatility, modularity, biocompatibility, and
programmability. In the previous WIVACE (2012) we presented the
state-of-the-art of semi-synthetic minimal cell (SSMC) technology and
introduced, for the first time, the idea of chemical communication between
synthetic cells and natural cells. The development of a proper synthetic
communication protocol should be seen as a tool for the nascent field of
bio/chemical-based Information and Communication Technologies (bio-chem-ICTs)
and ultimately aimed at building soft-wet-micro-robots. In this contribution
(WIVACE, 2013) we present a blueprint for realizing this project, and show some
preliminary experimental results. We firstly discuss how our research goal
(based on the natural capabilities of biological systems to manipulate chemical
signals) finds a proper place in the current scientific and technological
contexts. Then, we shortly comment on the experimental approaches from the
viewpoints of (i) synthetic cell construction, and (ii) bioengineering of
microorganisms, providing up-to-date results from our laboratory. Finally, we
shortly discuss how autopoiesis can be used as a theoretical framework for
defining synthetic minimal life, minimal cognition, and as bridge between
synthetic biology and artificial intelligence.Comment: In Proceedings Wivace 2013, arXiv:1309.712
Recent innovations and technological advancements in Dentistry and medicine
The newer innovations play an important role in the earlier diagnosis of dental caries based on near-infrared transillumination imaging such as Diagnocam and Soprocare intraoral digital cameras, which aid in the diagnosis of dental caries and also differentiate old and newer dental plaques, respectively. Nanoparticles used as carriers for effective and targeted drug therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and candidiasis among chronic denture wearers provided better-increased bioavailability than oral formulations. Artificial intelligence (AI) uses machines to simulate intelligent human behavior. Augmented reality has been presented as a cognitive extension of AI in health care, emphasizing the auxiliary and supplemental roles of dental and medical practitioners. The article enlightens readers with newer diagnostic methods in dentistry and medicine and innovations such as Surface Topography-Assisted Robotic Superstructures (STARS), Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Ligand Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PSMA-PETCT), toothbrushes with augmented reality, new hydrogel-based electrodes for Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) applications, and robotics in dentistry
Advanced medical micro-robotics for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions
Recent technological advances in micro-robotics have demonstrated their immense potential for biomedical applications. Emerging micro-robots have versatile sensing systems, flexible locomotion and dexterous manipulation capabilities that can significantly contribute to the healthcare system. Despite the appreciated and tangible benefits of medical micro-robotics, many challenges still remain. Here, we review the major challenges, current trends and significant achievements for developing versatile and intelligent micro-robotics with a focus on applications in early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. We also consider some recent emerging micro-robotic technologies that employ synthetic biology to support a new generation of living micro-robots. We expect to inspire future development of micro-robots toward clinical translation by identifying the roadblocks that need to be overcome
Design, Actuation, and Functionalization of Untethered Soft Magnetic Robots with Life-Like Motions: A Review
Soft robots have demonstrated superior flexibility and functionality than
conventional rigid robots. These versatile devices can respond to a wide range
of external stimuli (including light, magnetic field, heat, electric field,
etc.), and can perform sophisticated tasks. Notably, soft magnetic robots
exhibit unparalleled advantages among numerous soft robots (such as untethered
control, rapid response, and high safety), and have made remarkable progress in
small-scale manipulation tasks and biomedical applications. Despite the
promising potential, soft magnetic robots are still in their infancy and
require significant advancements in terms of fabrication, design principles,
and functional development to be viable for real-world applications. Recent
progress shows that bionics can serve as an effective tool for developing soft
robots. In light of this, the review is presented with two main goals: (i)
exploring how innovative bioinspired strategies can revolutionize the design
and actuation of soft magnetic robots to realize various life-like motions;
(ii) examining how these bionic systems could benefit practical applications in
small-scale solid/liquid manipulation and therapeutic/diagnostic-related
biomedical fields
Biohybrid robotics: From the nanoscale to the macroscale
Biohybrid robotics is a field in which biological entities are combined with artificial materials in order to obtain improved performance or features that are difficult to mimic with hand-made materials. Three main level of integration can be envisioned depending on the complexity of the biological entity, ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscale. At the nanoscale, enzymes that catalyze biocompatible reactions can be used as power sources for self-propelled nanoparticles of different geometries and compositions, obtaining rather interesting active matter systems that acquire importance in the biomedical field as drug delivery systems. At the microscale, single enzymes are substituted by complete cells, such as bacteria or spermatozoa, whose self-propelling capabilities can be used to transport cargo and can also be used as drug delivery systems, for in vitro fertilization practices or for biofilm removal. Finally, at the macroscale, the combinations of millions of cells forming tissues can be used to power biorobotic devices or bioactuators by using muscle cells. Both cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue have been part of remarkable examples of untethered biorobots that can crawl or swim due to the contractions of the tissue and current developments aim at the integration of several types of tissue to obtain more realistic biomimetic devices, which could lead to the next generation of hybrid robotics. Tethered bioactuators, however, result in excellent candidates for tissue models for drug screening purposes or the study of muscle myopathies due to their three-dimensional architecture
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