Computer Control of Living Cells

Abstract

Computer control of living cells can be achieved by means of microfluidics to grow cells, light emitting diodes or automated pumps to provide inputs, and a microscope to measure the output. Microfluidics consists of polymer-based devices with features such as channels and cell chamber of micrometer size. Microfluidics devices can be tailored to specific applications and organisms and have been successfully used to implement computer-based feedback control of living cells. These controllers can be distinguished in two broad categories, depending on the nature of the control input: (i) optogenetics-based inputs where light at a specific wavelength is used to interface with biological processes within individual cells and (ii) flow-based inputs, where a chemical or physical stimulus is applied to all the cell within the cell chamber via the microfluidics channels. In this tutorial, we will present the latest technologies and applications of this emerging technology.