3rd ACM International Conference on Nanoscale Computing and Communication
New York, USA, September 28-30, 2016
Holiday Inn L.I. City - Manhattan View
3rd ACM International Conference on Nanoscale Computing and Communication
New York, USA, September 28-30, 2016
Holiday Inn L.I. City - Manhattan View
Tutorials
Molecular Communications
Enlisting Synthetic Biology and Electrochemistry for Molecular Communication
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William E. Bentley
Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering |
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Gregory F. Payne
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) |
The ability to interconvert information between electronic and biologic modalities has transformed our ability to record and actuate biological function. It has become increasingly apparent that a wealth of molecular information exists, which, when appropriately accessed, can provide feedback on biological systems, their componentry and their function. Thus, there is a developing need to transcend length scales to concurrently recognize molecular detail and at the same time understand system-level behavior. ‘Omics’ efforts have enabled tremendous access to molecular information through systems-level data mining. Meanwhile, an emerging, alternative scheme is to develop nano- to micro-scaled tools that intimately engage with biological systems through monitoring and interacting at the molecular level, with synthetic biology being one such tool. While synthetic biology is often viewed as an innovative means for “green” product synthesis through the genetic rearrangement of cells, their biosynthetic capabilities and their regulatory networks can instead be tuned for executive function. That is, cells can be rewired to survey molecular space as they have sophisticated capabilities to recognize, amplify, and transduce chemical information. Further, they provide a means to connect biological systems with traditional microelectronic devices and in doing so present a potential interface between chemically-based biomolecular processing and conventional vectors of information flow, such as electrons and photons. Specifically, through engineered design, cell-based molecular processing can be further coupled to enable external abiotic responses. Cells, then, represent a versatile means for mediating the molecular “signatures” common in complex environments, or in other words, they are conveyors of molecular communication.
Short Biographies
William E. Bentley is the Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering and the Inaugural Director of the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices. He is also appointed to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park and the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research. At Maryland since 1989, Dr. Bentley has focused his research on the development of molecular tools that facilitate the expression of biologically active proteins, having authored over 270 related archival publications. He is a fellow of AAAS, ACS, AIMBE, and the American Academy of Microbiology. He has served on advisory committees for the NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, FDA, USDA, and several state agencies and has mentored more than 30 PhDs and 15 postdocs, many now in leadership roles within industry (18), federal agencies (4) and academia (22). He co-founded a protein manufacturing company, Chesapeake PERL, based on insect larvae as mini bioreactors.
Gregory F. Payne received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University in 1979 and 1981, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Michigan in 1984. After completing his Ph.D., he returned to Cornell to do post-doctoral work with Michael Shuler in biochemical engineering. In 1986 Prof. Payne joined the faculty of the University of Maryland where he is currently a Professor jointly-appointed in the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and the Fischell Department of Bioengineering. His research is focused on biofabrication – the use of biological or biomimetic materials and mechanisms to confer structure and function to materials. Specifically, his group biofabricates using enzymes and biologically-derived polymers such as chitosan. Prof. Payne has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal papers, been awarded 9 US patents, served on the advisory board of numerous international symposia and study sections, and received the University of Maryland Regents Award for research, scholarship and creative activity. Currently, he spends 6 months per year in China where he is Guest Professor at Wuhan University and Chair Professor at East China University of Science and Technology.