Created a device that performs calculations by printing cells on paper

Nowadays we have many electronic devices - such as computers and tablets -

sufficient computing powergreat. But despite their power, they are very limited devices for detecting biological markers that indicate the presence of disease. For this reason, biological computers—living cellular devices that can detect multiple markers and generate complex responses—began to be developed several years ago. In them, researchers use biological receptors that can detect exogenous signals and, using synthetic biology, modify them to respond according to the information they detect.

By now, cellularDevices that must operate in a laboratory for a limited time under certain conditions and must be handled by a molecular biologist. Now a group of researchers from the University of Pompeu Fabra has developed a new technology for printing cellular devices on paper that can be used outside the laboratory.

I wonder what they use for inkdifferent types of cells with nutrients for drawing. The cells remain trapped in the paper, alive and functional, and there they continue to grow and can emit signals that travel through the paper and reach other cells. The reason for doing this on paper (or other surfaces such as fabric) is mainly practical. It is a cheap method and is easily adaptable to industrial use, and large quantities can be produced at very low cost.

"We wanted to develop a scalablemodel and thought about using a printing system similar to the one used to print T-shirts. We make shapes according to our design, we impregnate it with various cellular inks, like a buffer, apply it to paper, and the cells are deposited.”

Sira Mogas-Diez from the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain

The strong point is that these deviceson paper can be refrigerated or even frozen, since cellular ink contains cryoprotectants that allow it to do so. Thus, unlike previous devices, they can be stored for a long time before use.

In this new approach, every element of the deviceis a group of cells, in this case bacteria, with minimal genetic modifications that can detect different signals. The cells live in a strip of paper and communicate with each other, integrate signals and generate one response or another depending on various combinations of detected signals. The elements do not change, but by changing their location in space using the drawing they make on paper, you can create devices with different functions.

“So the order of the cells is the software, the cells are the hardware, and the paper is the physical substrate on which those cells are placed.”

Javier Macia from the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain

The research team has developed variousbiosensors, one of which is designed to detect mercury. Compared to other existing systems, the system contributes to visually assessing the concentration of mercury without requiring a device in the laboratory to measure it. Depending on the amount of mercury present, more or fewer dots appear on the reactive strip that can be counted with the naked eye.

Read also:

Physicists have created an analogue of a black hole and confirmed Hawking's theory. Where it leads?

Hear NASA's Perseverance rover moving across Mars.

Humans can withstand very low temperatures even without heat sources.