4 research outputs found
Using Competing Bacterial Communication to Disassemble Biofilms
In recent years, bacterial infections have become a major
public health concern due to their ability to cooperate between
single and multiple species resisting to various forms
of treatments (e.g., antibiotics). One form of protection is
through biofilms, where the bacteria produce a protective
medium known as the Extracellular Polymeric Substances
(EPS). Researchers are pursuing new multi-disciplinary approaches
to treating and kerb the evolving process of these
infections through the biofilms, to lower the humans' antibiotic
dependence that can result in the so-called \super-
bugs". Although various solutions have been proposed to
break biofilms, they are based on applying drugs or using
nanoparticles. In this paper, we propose an alternative
approach, where bacteria will cooperate and surround the
biofilms to consume the nutrients. By hijacking the nutrients
in the environment and blocking the
ow from reaching
the biofilms, this will lead to starvation, forcing them to
break their structure. Preliminary simulations show that a
small action radius of quorum sensing molecules is needed
to maximise bacteria attraction to a particular location and
create the protective wall. Therefore, this formation is capable
of speeds up biofilm dispersal process by two hours
Hydrogel-based Bio-nanomachine Transmitters for Bacterial Molecular Communications
peer-reviewedBacterial quorum sensing can be engineered with a view to the
design of biotechnological applications based on their intrinsic role
as a means of communication. We propose the creation of a positive feedback loop that will promote the emission of a superfolded
green fluorescence protein from a bacterial population that will flow
through hydrogel, which is used to encapsulate the cells. These
engineered cells are heretofore referred to as bio-nanomachine
transmitters and we show that for lower values of diffusion coefficient, a higher molecular output signal power can be produced,
which supports the use of engineered bacteria contained within
hydrogels for molecular communications systems. In addition, our
wet lab results show the propagation of the molecular output signal,
proving the feasibility of engineering a positive feedback loop to create a bio-nanomachine transmitter that can be used for biosensing
applications.Science Foundation Irelan
Computational Models for Trapping Ebola Virus Using Engineered Bacteria
The outbreak of Ebola virus in recent years has
resulted in numerous research initiatives to seek new solutions
to contain the virus. A number of approaches that have been
investigated include new vaccines to boost the immune system.
An alternative post-exposure treatment is presented in this
paper. The proposed approach for clearing Ebola virus can
be developed through a microfluidic attenuator, which contains
the engineered bacteria that traps Ebola flowing through the
blood onto its membrane. The paper presents the analysis of
the chemical binding force between the virus and a genetically
engineered bacterium considering the opposing forces acting on
the attachment point, including hydrodynamic tension and drag
force. To test the efficacy of the technique, simulations of bacterial
motility within a confined area to trap the virus were performed.
More than 60% of the displaced virus could be collected within
15 minutes. While the proposed approach currently focuses on
in vitro environments for trapping the virus, the system can be
further developed into the future for treatment whereby blood
can be cycled out of the body into a microfluidic device that
contains the engineered bacteria to trap viruses
Internet-das-Bionano-Coisas: Conectando-se às Nanomáquinas
The Internet-of-things attracts the attention of many researchers in computer networks with the challenge of providing connectivity to a huge quantity of devices. This reality can be further complicated once again with the recent proposed Internet-of-bionano-things. Nanomachines, natural or synthetic, will be able to communicate to each other and to the Internet through the means of communication systems that are being developed at the nano-scale with the goal of cooperatively executing complex tasks. This technology requires a complete revision of the TCP/IP architecture to accommodate the requirements and demands of the nanonetworks. This chapter aims at introducing this research field to the computer network community, presenting the different types of communicating networks, an initial reformulation of the TCP/IP architecture, research challenges and the applications for the nanonetworks. This technology enables a revolution in the society and affects directly areas, such as medicine, agriculture, pollution and even industry