Cyborg Cells

Wiring Cells with Biological and Inorganic Nanostructures

Novel nanowire devices engender the ability to actively control the behavior of single cells and cellular networks via external stimuli. This research effort provides fundamental research to define intercellular energy transduction and underpin the development of the human-machine interface. The wiring between cells is established with either inorganic nanowires or biowires comprising protein assemblies. The inorganic and biological nanowire arrays interface with many types of eukaryotic cells, and allow for the design of arrays that enable spatiotemporal control of a cellular network. The novel nanowire architectures are created for their integration with molecular cargos thus enabling an understanding of energy transduction between cells as well as control over cellular oxygen levels, ion concentrations, cellular redox potential, and ATP for energy and fatigue, a long-standing challenge in human performance. The multidisciplinary effort spans the fields of nanoscience, materials chemistry, photochemistry, biology and photonics.