Electrochemical Communication in Bacterial Biofilms: A Study on Potassium Stimulation and Signal Transmission

Electrochemical communication is a mechanism that enables intercellular interaction among bacteria within communities. Bacteria achieves synchronization and coordinates collective actions at the population level through the utilization of electrochemical signals. In this work, we investigate the response of bacterial biofilms to artificial potassium concentration stimulation. We introduce signal inputs at a specific location within the biofilm and observe their transmission to other regions, facilitated by intermediary cells that amplify and relay the signal. We analyze the output signals when biofilm regions are subjected to different input signal types and explore their impact on biofilm growth. Furthermore, we investigate how the temporal gap between input pulses influences output signal characteristics, demonstrating that an appropriate gap yields distinct and well-defined output signals. Our research sheds light on the potential of bacterial biofilms as communication nodes in electrochemical communication networks

Engineering Yeast Cells to Facilitate Information Exchange

Although continuous advances in theoretical modelling of Molecular Communications (MC) are observed, there is still an insuperable gap between theory and experimental testbeds, especially at the microscale. In this paper, the development of the first testbed incorporating engineered yeast cells is reported. Different from the existing literature, eukaryotic yeast cells are considered for both the sender and the receiver, with {\alpha}-factor molecules facilitating the information transfer. The use of such cells is motivated mainly by the well understood biological mechanism of yeast mating, together with their genetic amenability. In addition, recent advances in yeast biosensing establish yeast as a suitable detector and a neat interface to in-body sensor networks. The system under consideration is presented first, and the mathematical models of the underlying biological processes leading to an end-to-end (E2E) system are given. The experimental setup is then described and used to obtain experimental results which validate the developed mathematical models. Beyond that, the ability of the system to effectively generate output pulses in response to repeated stimuli is demonstrated, reporting one event per two hours. However, fast RNA fluctuations indicate cell responses in less than three minutes, demonstrating the potential for much higher rates in the future.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures (2 of which are not colored) all .png, recently accepted for publication at TMBM

Fundamentals of bacteria-based molecular communication for Internet of Bio-Nanothings

Today, thanks to synthetic biology, we can engineer living cells as biosensor devices and thanks to MEMS & nanotechnology, we can manufacture electronic devices at nanoscale. Molecular communication (MC), a novel communication technique where information transfer is based on exchange of molecules, emerges as a solution to establish communication among these natural and man-made biological and electronic devices at nanoscale. When complemented with existing wireless communications technologies, MC will enable a network of these devices, called Internet of Bio-NanoThings (IoBNT). The focus of this PhD thesis is on the bacteria-based MC for IoBNT, where bacteria populations are considered both as devices generating MC signals and information carriers actively delivering molecules via chemotaxis. The objectives of the research presented in this thesis are to model and analyze bacteria-based MC from the point of communication engineering to provide solutions for the creation of artificial MC systems for IoBNT applications. First, a genetically engineered bacteria-based biotransceiver that can send and receive MC signals is designed. The principles of biological circuits for MC are illustrated. Second, the bacterial chemotaxis channels where bacteria actively carry information in its plasmid and move towards the nutrient gradient are modelled using Keller-Segel models. The impact of social behavior of cooperation, competition, and cheating among the microbial society is incorporated in the models. Third, three modulation schemes are proposed for the bacterial chemotaxis channels and their performance is compared in terms of probability of error. Fourth, to leverage natural bacteria-based MC in the body, Microbiome- Gut-Brain Axis is investigated as an infrastructure for IoBNT. Fifth, an IoBNT application for early detection of infections using bacteria-based MC concept is developed. This research provides fundamental results that establish the use of bacteria for various MC functions, push the envelope towards the realization of MC networks by proposing design solutions, and developing specific applications of IoBNT for healthcare.Ph.D

Applying Molecular Communication Theory to Multi-Scale Integrated Models of Biological Pathways

The natural communication ability of cells is explored in this paper by providing preliminary results in the estimation of the Mutual Information (MI) of signaling pathway communication channels. These results, based on an application of Molecular Communication (MC) and information theory concepts to multi-scale integrated Flux-Balance Analysis (iFBA) models are a first step to evaluate the potential of cells and their biochemical processes as a substrate for enabling engineered MC channels for the future internet of Bio-Nano Things

Applying Molecular Communication Theory to Multi-Scale Integrated Models of Biological Pathways

The natural communication ability of cells is explored in this paper by providing preliminary results in the estimation of the Mutual Information (MI) of signaling pathway communication channels. These results, based on an application of Molecular Communication (MC) and information theory concepts to multi-scale integrated Flux-Balance Analysis (iFBA) models are a first step to evaluate the potential of cells and their biochemical processes as a substrate for enabling engineered MC channels for the future internet of Bio-Nano Things

Applying Molecular Communication Theory to Multi-Scale Integrated Models of Biological Pathways

The natural communication ability of cells is explored in this paper by providing preliminary results in the estimation of the Mutual Information (MI) of signaling pathway communication channels. These results, based on an application of Molecular Communication (MC) and information theory concepts to multi-scale integrated Flux-Balance Analysis (iFBA) models are a first step to evaluate the potential of cells and their biochemical processes as a substrate for enabling engineered MC channels for the future internet of Bio-Nano Things

Applying Molecular Communication Theory to Multi-Scale Integrated Models of Biological Pathways

The natural communication ability of cells is explored in this paper by providing preliminary results in the estimation of the Mutual Information (MI) of signaling pathway communication channels. These results, based on an application of Molecular Communication (MC) and information theory concepts to multi-scale integrated Flux-Balance Analysis (iFBA) models are a first step to evaluate the potential of cells and their biochemical processes as a substrate for enabling engineered MC channels for the future internet of Bio-Nano Things

Guest Editorial Special Feature on Bio-Chem-ICTs: Synergies Between Bio/Nanotechnologies and Molecular Communications

International audienceThe Transfer of ‘information’ via molecules is a theme that resonates across the realm of nature, underlying collective behavior, homeostasis, and many disorders and diseases, and potentially holding the answers to some of the life’s most profound questions. The prospects of understanding and manipulating this natural modality of communication have attracted a significant research interest from information and communication theorists (ICT) over the past two decades. The aim is to provide novel means of understanding and engineering biological systems. These efforts have produced substantial body of literature that sets the groundwork for bio-inspired, artificial Molecular Communication (MC) systems. This ICT-based perspective has also contributed to the understanding of natural MC, with many of the results from these endeavors being published in this journal

Use of electroconductive biomaterials for engineering tissues by 3D printing and 3D bioprinting

Existing methods of engineering alternatives to restore or replace damaged or lost tissues are not satisfactory due to the lack of suitable constructs that can fit precisely, function properly and integrate into host tissues. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting approaches have been developed to enable the fabrication of pre-programmed synthetic tissue constructs that have precise geometries and controlled cellular composition and spatial distribution. New bioinks with electroconductive properties have the potential to influence cellular fates and function for directed healing of different tissue types including bone, heart and nervous tissue with the possibility of improved outcomes. In the present paper, we review the use of electroconductive biomaterials for the engineering of tissues via 3D printing and 3D bioprinting. Despite significant advances, there remain challenges to effective tissue replacement and we address these challenges and describe new approaches to advanced tissue engineering