Molecular Communication: Standardization and Application Development

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H00733
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Information network
• Research Institution: Osaka City University (2020-2021); Osaka University (2017-2019, 2021)
• Principal Investigator: Nakano Tadashi 大阪市立大学, 大学院工学研究科, 教授 (70571173)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 分子通信 / 情報ネットワーク / ナノ医療 / 生命科学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Molecular communication is a biologically inspired communication paradigm in which biological molecules are used to transmit information. In this project, we aimed to establish molecular communication as a communication technology and developed methods and systems of molecular communication. Toward the goal, we have developed methods of molecular communication to transmit information using chemical waves. We have also devised the concept of mobile molecular communication, molecular communication among mobile bio-nanomachines. We have also designed and developed cooperative drug delivery systems where a group of bio-nanomachines communicate using molecular communication to detect and delivery drug molecules to target locations. Further, we have modelled and analyzed systems of cancer cells that interact through molecular communication and form a large-scale structure. Research results obtained in this research project will form the basis of future molecular communication research.

Free Research Field

情報ネットワーク

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果をまとめた論文は、情報通信分野で世界的に権威のある国際学術論文誌 (PIEEEなど)に採択されたり、大規模な国際会議（IEEE GLOBECOM 2020）において最優秀論文賞を受賞したりするなど、学術的に高い評価を得ている。さらに、がん細胞生物学と関連する研究の成果については、生物物理学分野で権威のある学術雑誌にも採択され、一般にも広く報道された。本研究の成果は新しい通信技術の開発につながるだけでなく、生物学や医学の進展にも貢献することが期待される。