2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Optimization of molecular robot swarms for the emergence of collective behaviors
| Project/Area Number |
19KK0261
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Ochanomizu University |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
オベル加藤 ナタナエル お茶の水女子大学, 基幹研究院, 助教 (10749659)
|
|---|
| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
川又 生吹 東北大学, 工学研究科, 助教 (30733977)
佐藤 佑介 東京工業大学, 情報理工学院, JSPS特別研究員 (60830560)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2019-10-07 – 2024-03-31
|
| Keywords | Molecular Robotics / Collective Behaviors / Swarm / Microfluidics |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The focus of this first year has been on testing the basic elements of a swarm of vesicle-based molecular robot capable of self-assembly.
Modeling: We extended the previous mathematical model of the PEN DNA toolbox, the underlying molecular system. The equations describing a given system can now be generated in a modular fashion. That modularity allows us in turn to integrate PEN DNA toolbox systems with other mathematical models, such as those governing Reaction-Diffusion systems or the communication between the vesicles forming the body of our molecular robots.
Simulation: We made a simple model for communication between vesicles with internal states, displaying information propagation and computation. That approach effectively extends previous work on bead-based molecular robots to the design used in this project. We also implemented the PEN DNA toolbox-based controller for physical robots that will be used with the robotic swarm of our international collaborators.
Experiments: We performed preparatory experiments validating the anchoring system planned for the lipid vesicles. Both anchoring and release performed satisfactorily in a well-mixed environment. We also succeeded in performing a pattern-formation using the self-assembly of DNA polymer in a hydrogel medium.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The original plan for the first year included direct experimental collaboration with our partners in France. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, that element of the project had to be cancelled. We instead focused more on the modeling aspects that were initially projected for the second year, so that we would lose as little time as possible.
Overall, modeling, simulation and experimental directions that were not dependent on direct interactions with our partners have progressed smoothly. Progress on aspects that did require their expertise (implementation on a physical robotic swarm; microfluidics system) has been somewhat delayed.
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The first priority will be to set channels to directly collaborate with our partners in France. To do so, we plan to first organize regular online meetings until the situation allows us to meet in person. At that juncture, we will adapt the schedule of the workshop plan for this fiscal year to integrate elements that could not be dealt with online (hands-on training with the microfluidics system, robotic swarm).
In the meantime, we will keep working on the simulation of molecular robotic systems, integrating them with our optimization algorithm as planned. We will also perform experimental validations of our current designs as the situation allows. Those experiments will focus on the actuation of swarms of lipid vesicles, allowing them to programmatically aggregate and separate.
|
| Causes of Carryover |
During the first fiscal year, the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented our visit to France. As such, the budget planned for traveling and performing experiments there remained mostly untouched. We plan to carry over that budget to the next fiscal year and spread it between experiments and additional traveling if possible.
The experimental development of a swarm of vesicle-based molecular robot capable of self-assembly is planned as expected. The cost of enzymes, DNA molecules, etc, will be covered by the budget.At the same time, we will buy additional nodes for our existing cluster to support the simulation needs of our optimization algorithm. Optimization will provide sets of parameters for experimental validations.Finally, we will purchase additional individual robots for the "hardware swarm" system.
Based on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the collaborative part of the project might be further delayed. In that case, we will make proceed as much as possible through online collaboration, relying on our collaborators to gather experimental data.
|
Research Products
(13 results)
