MIT Technology Review November 1, 2019
Bacteria are a potential substrate for Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), which involve networking and communication through nanoscale and biological entities. Researchers in the UK outline significant features of bacteria that allow analogies between them and traditional computerized IoT device to be made. They argue that such comparisons are critical in terms of helping researchers to explore human-bacteria interaction in the context of IoT and HCI. Furthermore, the current lack of tangible infrastructure for researchers in IoT and HCI to access and experiment with bacteria. As a potential solution, they propose to utilize the DIY biology movement and gamification techniques to leverage user engagement and introduction to bacteria. Harnessing the special features of bacteria, including an ability to become autonomous – helped by an embedded, natural propeller motor – the microbes show promising array of application in healthcare and environmental health…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Comparison between E.coli bacterium and Raspberry Pi-controlled IoT device. Components of the bacteria anatomy that function similarly to the computerized device are linked by pink arrows. Credit: Arxiv arXiv:1910.01974 [cs.HC]Â