Cooperative target tracking by a mobile bionanosensor network

IEEE Trans Nanobioscience. 2014 Sep;13(3):267-77. doi: 10.1109/TNB.2014.2343237. Epub 2014 Jul 30.

Abstract

This paper describes a mobile bionanosensor network designed for target tracking. The mobile bionanosensor network is composed of bacterium-based autonomous biosensors that coordinate their movement through the use of two types of signaling molecules, repellents and attractants. In search of a target, the bacterium-based autonomous biosensors release repellents to quickly spread over the environment, while, upon detecting a target, they release attractants to recruit other biosensors in the environment toward the location around the target. A mobility model of bacterium-based autonomous biosensors is first developed based on the rotational diffusion model of bacterial chemotaxis, and from this their collective movement to track a moving target is demonstrated. In simulation experiments, the mobile bionanosensor network is evaluated based on the mean tracking time. Simulation results show a set of parameter values that can optimize the mean tracking time, providing an insight into how bacterium-based autonomous biosensors may be designed and engineered for target tracking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Cell Communication / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computers, Molecular
  • Models, Biological*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*