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Molecular Communication Technology: General Considerations on the Use of Synthetic Cells and Some Hints from In Silico Modelling

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Advances in Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation (WIVACE 2014)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 445))

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Abstract

Recent advancements in synthetic biology pave the way to the design and construction of synthetic cells of increasing complexity, capable of performing specific functions in programmable manner. One of the most exciting goal is the development of a molecular communication technology based on the exchange of chemical signals between synthetic and natural cells. We are currently involved in such a research program. Following our previous contributions to WIVACE workshops (2012–2013), here we present the project, and discuss some general considerations on the use of synthetic cells for developing novel bio-chemical Information and Communication Technologies (bio-chem-ICTs). Moreover, by analysing in detail a mathematical model of synthetic cell/natural cell communication process, we provide some hints that can be valuable for the next experimental steps.

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Acknowledgements

The in silico model here presented has been recently published, with a more extensive discussion, in [6]. The authors thank Pier Luigi Luisi (Roma Tre University) for inspiring discussions on synthetic minimal cells. F.M. and P.S. acknowledge the support through the COST Action CM1304 (Emergence and Evolution of Complex Chemical Systems).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    Fabio Mavelli

  2. Science Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

    Giordano Rampioni, Marco Messina, Livia Leoni & Pasquale Stano

  3. Centre for Research on Complex Systems, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

    Luisa Damiano

Authors
  1. Fabio Mavelli
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  2. Giordano Rampioni
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  3. Luisa Damiano
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  4. Marco Messina
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  5. Livia Leoni
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  6. Pasquale Stano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pasquale Stano .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. CNR-ICAR, Rende, Italy

    Clara Pizzuti

  2. CNR-ICAR, Rende, Italy

    Giandomenico Spezzano

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Mavelli, F., Rampioni, G., Damiano, L., Messina, M., Leoni, L., Stano, P. (2014). Molecular Communication Technology: General Considerations on the Use of Synthetic Cells and Some Hints from In Silico Modelling. In: Pizzuti, C., Spezzano, G. (eds) Advances in Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. WIVACE 2014. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 445. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12745-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12745-3_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-12744-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-12745-3

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