Molecular Robotics II

This book proposes an innovative concept of chemical AI and discusses fundamental technologies, methods, and theories used for Molecular Cybernetics. Research on so-called “chemical artificial intelligence” (CAI) is an emerging field with the aim of constructing information-processing systems with learning capabilities based on chemical methodologies. This can be regarded as an attempt to reconstruct Cybernetics using molecular based systems. Many chemical reaction systems with computational abilities are proposed, but most are fixed functions that deliver molecular output for a given molecular input. On the other hand, chemical AI is a system with learning capability; namely, the output should be variable and gradually change upon repeated molecular inputs.

Toward “multicellular artificial cell systems” in Molecular Cybernetics, in this book, fundamental technologies, methods, and theories used for

(1) assembling CAI systems consisting of many liposomes with different functions (Liposome Assembling Technologies),

(2) achieving communication over two lipid-bilayer compartments (Molecular Communication),

(3) achieving recursiveness and plasticity in chemical reaction systems (Memory and Learning circuit), and

(4) reconfiguring the network topology by liposome deformation (Molecular Actuation) are accommodated.

Taro Toyota completed his Ph.D. program in Multidisciplinary Sciences at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo (Japan), in 2005. After working as an assistant professor at Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University (Japan) and as a lecturer at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, he assumed associate professor in 2011. From 2009 to 2015, he also worked as a JST researcher specializing in synthetic and analytical chemistry with a focus on colloid and interface chemistry, in addition to having research interests including the chemistry of molecular assemblies in nonequilibrium states. 

Shin-ichiro M. Nomura received his B.S. degree from Shizuoka University (1997), M.S. degree from Nagoya University (1999), and Dr. of Science degree from Kyoto University (2002). He then spent five years at Tokyo Medical & Dental University as a postdoc and a research associate professor (junior). Next, he spent three years at iCeMS, Kyoto University (2008-2011). In 2011, he joined Tohoku University as an associate professor in the Molecular Robotics Laboratory, Department of Robotics, Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering. He was a researcher of JST PRESTO (Structures and control of interfaces). He was also a visiting researcher of Unconventional Computing Group in UWE Bristol, UK (2019-2021). His research interests include artificial cell engineering, molecular robotics, and automatic molecular materials. 

Takashi Nakakuki received his B.E. and M.S. degrees from Sophia University, Japan, in 1997 and 1999, respectively. From April 1999 to March 2003, he worked at Sony Corporation. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2006. He was subsequently employed at RIKEN from April 2006 to March 2009 and at the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Kogakuin University, from April 2009 to March 2013. In April 2013, he joined Kyushu Institute of Technology, where he is currently a professor in the Department of Intelligent and Control Systems.

Akinori Kuzuya received his Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Tokyo (2002) under the supervision of Prof. Makoto Komiyama. After working as a postdoc at the University of Tokyo (2002-2005) and Prof. Ned Seeman’s lab, New York University (2005-2007), and as an assistant  professor at the University of Tokyo (2007-2011), he joined Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University as an associate professor in 2011. He is currently a full professor in chemistry since 2018. His research interests are in the areas of DNA nanotechnology, nucleic acids, and supramolecular chemistry.

Satoshi Murata graduated from Nagoya University with B.Eng., M.Eng., and D.Eng. in 1985, 1987, and 1997 respectively. In 1987, he joined Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, AIST, MITI, and in 2001, he moved to Tokyo Institute of Technology as an associate professor. From 2010, he is a professor of Department of Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University. His interests are in molecular robotics, molecular cybernetics, and emergent systems. He is a member of SICE, JSME, RSJ, BSJ, CBI, and The Society for KATACHI.