Dynamic Guiding of Motor-Driven Microtubules on Electrically Heated, Smart Polymer Tracks

Schroeder, Viktor; Korten, Till; Linke, Heiner; Diez, Stefan; Maximov, Ivan

doi:10.1021/nl402004s

Cited by 40 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…(iv) To circumvent the inherent difficulties of tracking large numbers of individual filaments, automatic readout schemes at exits of interest can be used (39). (v) Programmable devices which can flexibly encode different problems could be achieved by using heat-controlled (40) or electrostatic (41) gates in only one programmable type of junction instead of the two (isomorphic) static junctions. (vi) Finally, filaments can be prevented from attaching to or detaching from the network by using closed channels with porous openings for allowing the supply of ATP (42).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks

Nicolau

Lard

Korten

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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127

216

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The combinatorial nature of many important mathematical problems, including nondeterministic-polynomial-time (NP)-complete problems, places a severe limitation on the problem size that can be solved with conventional, sequentially operating electronic computers. There have been significant efforts in conceiving parallel-computation approaches in the past, for example: DNA computation, quantum computation, and microfluidics-based computation. However, these approaches have not proven, so far, to be scalable and practical from a fabrication and operational perspective. Here, we report the foundations of an alternative parallel-computation system in which a given combinatorial problem is encoded into a graphical, modular network that is embedded in a nanofabricated planar device. Exploring the network in a parallel fashion using a large number of independent, molecularmotor-propelled agents then solves the mathematical problem. This approach uses orders of magnitude less energy than conventional computers, thus addressing issues related to power consumption and heat dissipation. We provide a proof-of-concept demonstration of such a device by solving, in a parallel fashion, the small instance {2, 5, 9} of the subset sum problem, which is a benchmark NPcomplete problem. Finally, we discuss the technical advances necessary to make our system scalable with presently available technology.parallel computing | molecular motors | NP complete | biocomputation | nanotechnology M any combinatorial problems of practical importance, such as the design and verification of circuits (1), the folding (2) and design (3) of proteins, and optimal network routing (4), require that a large number of possible candidate solutions are explored in a brute-force manner to discover the actual solution. Because the time required for solving these problems grows exponentially with their size, they are intractable for conventional electronic computers, which operate sequentially, leading to impractical computing times even for medium-sized problems. Solving such problems therefore requires efficient parallel-computation approaches (5). However, the approaches proposed so far suffer from drawbacks that have prevented their implementation. For example, DNA computation, which generates mathematical solutions by recombining DNA strands (6, 7), or DNA static (8) or dynamic (9) nanostructures, is limited by the need for impractically large amounts of DNA (10-13). Quantum computation is limited in scale by decoherence and by the small number of qubits that can be integrated (14). Microfluidics-based parallel computation (15) is difficult to scale up in practice due to rapidly diverging physical size and complexity of the computation devices with the size of the problem, as well as the need for impractically large external pressure.Here, we propose a parallel-computation approach, which is based on encoding combinatorial problems into the geometry of a physical network of lithographically defined channels, followed by exploration of the network in a par...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks

Nicolau

Lard

Korten

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

127

216

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“…Motor proteins have been integrated in vitro into nanopatterned devices for the active transport of biological and inorganic cargo [17] as well as nanofluidics. [18] They can be used as nano-biosensors [19] and nanoscale probes to examine surfaces, and have been suggested as nanofluidic pumps (Figure 1 A). [20] Swarms of "molecular shuttles" have also been observed to modify the diffusion flows in nanofluidic devices.…”

Section: Hybrid Micro-biorobots and Motorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemically Powered Micro‐ and Nanomotors

2014

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Chemically powered micro- and nanomotors are small devices that are self-propelled by catalytic reactions in fluids. Taking inspiration from biomotors, scientists are aiming to find the best architecture for self-propulsion, understand the mechanisms of motion, and develop accurate control over the motion. Remotely guided nanomotors can transport cargo to desired targets, drill into biomaterials, sense their environment, mix or pump fluids, and clean polluted water. This Review summarizes the major advances in the growing field of catalytic nanomotors, which started ten years ago.

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“…Some efforts have been made toward electrophoresis and EOF, as well as on-chip peristaltic pumps such as high frequency piezo activated peristaltic pumps [31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. In addition, some other methods were used to generate fluid flow in micro total analysis system (TAS) [38], such as redox-magnetohydrodynamics pumping [39,40], molecular motors pumping [41,42], bio-inspired biomimetic pumping [43], bio-actuated pumping [44], and hydrophilic sponges for leaf-inspired continuous pumping [45]. Moreover, Lee et al [46] presented an absorbent-force-driven microflow cytometer chip, in which solution was driven by the absorbent force of superabsorbent materials.…”

Section: Flow Control In Microfluidic Flow Cytometry 21 Sample Pumpingmentioning

confidence: 99%

New advances in microfluidic flow cytometry

Gong

Fan

et al. 2018

Electrophoresis

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In recent years, researchers are paying the increasing attention to the development of portable microfluidic diagnostic devices including microfluidic flow cytometry for the point‐of‐care testing. Microfluidic flow cytometry, where microfluidics and flow cytometry work together to realize novel functionalities on the microchip, provides a powerful tool for measuring the multiple characteristics of biological samples. The development of a portable, low‐cost, and compact flow cytometer can benefit the health care in underserved areas such as Africa or Asia. In this article, we review recent advancements of microfluidics including sample pumping, focusing and sorting, novel detection approaches, and data analysis in the field of flow cytometry. The challenge of microfluidic flow cytometry is also examined briefly.

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Dynamic Guiding of Motor-Driven Microtubules on Electrically Heated, Smart Polymer Tracks

Cited by 40 publications

References 27 publications

Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks

Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks

Chemically Powered Micro‐ and Nanomotors

New advances in microfluidic flow cytometry

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