My research team at the Ruhr University in Bochum is pursuing a synthetic, bio-inspired approach to studying autonomous chemical systems exhibiting Molecular Information Processing. This involves multidisciplinary basic research (coupling theory and experiment) into the nature of evolutionary and molecular self-organization and its applications to Living Technology and Information Processing for Molecular Systems, embracing the three rapidly expanding technologies: Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (BT) and Nanotechnology (NT).
After several years doing theory, I pioneered the use of microfluidics and reconfigurable computers to study molecular evolution. In recent years we have moved from these continuing lab-on-a-chip type investigations to investigate microscopic electronic-chemical agents that can act within chemical solutions in intelligent ways at the same space scale as cells. I believe this will herald in a new age of nanoscale information technology in which programmed autonomous chemically functional agents take on an increasing range of tasks in regulating and configuring the microcosmos that is so important for health, industry and the environment.
The group’s main source of funding is by its involvement in public grant projects.
Current research projects are:
- EON SEED GRANT (ELSI, John Templeton Foundation) 2016-2017
Projects recently completed at the Ruhr University include:
- Microscale Chemically Reactive Electronic Agents (MICREAgents) 2012-2016
- Coordination of Biological and Chemical IT Research Activities (COBRA) 2010-2013
- Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing of DNA libraries (CADMAD) 2011-2014
- Electronic Chemical Cells (ECCell) 2008-2011 (coord)
- Matrix for Chemical IT (MATCHIT) 2010-2012
- COST Action on Systems Chemistry 2009-2012
- Programmable Artificial Cell Evolution (PACE) 2004-2008 (coord)
- Hepatosys : Mesoscale Simulation of Endocytosis 2004-2010
A lasting product of the EU-funded PACE project has been the establishment of the European Centre for Living Technology in Venice, of which the Ruhr-Universität Bochum is a member and John McCaskill a founding director and now member of the Science Board. In addition we have been involved in developing a large ICT flagship initiative on Sustainable Personal Living Technology (SPLiT).
Artificial cell design is one area which pushes the limits of our ability to understand and utilize self-organizing chemical systems. BioMIP is building custom microscopic environments for such complex chemical systems with electronic control using digital MEMS technology.