From: Forrest Bishop (forrestb@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Sat Jun 05 1999 - 15:10:34 MDT
> From: CurtAdams@aol.com
> Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 03:20:40 EDT
> Subject: Re: Cyborg cells
>
> In a message dated 99-05-31 02:11:09 EDT, smassey@enteract.com (Steve Massey)
> writes:
>
> >> Is it imaginable that some form of nanorganism could be made
> >> to reside in our cells, perhaps devouring a small share of the
> >> ATP produced by the mitochondria, and providing in return,
> >> some... some what? Intuition? spike
Yes, of course, but the term "organism" might be a bit misleading- it'sgenerally
accepted that replicating machinery does not belong in vivo.
In my view, there will be a continuum of nanotechnologies between purely
biological and non-biological (of which Drexler's diamondoid is one
simple example). A machine made of biomolecular components and structures
is much easier to build (though not to design) owing to the vast array of
existing self-assembly processes that can be brought to bear.
> >Thats a tough thought though... has any work been done towards
> >designs for compound eukaryote-drexler nanotech entities?
I have done some preliminary design work on such a device:==============
Cell Rover Abstract
A micron-scale biomolecular, NEMS, and denovo protein device is
proposed for invivo medical applications such as drug delivery,
waste product removal, cell targeting, intracellular transport and cellular repair.
A modular design is considered, with an internal frame of keratin,
chitin or calcium carbonate, skin panels made of bilipid layers
(to permit biomolecular inclusions such as 'self' molecules),
and one or more internal ‘organelles’ for mission-specific applications.
Various Krebs cycle propulsion schemes are investigated, including
bacterial cilia, bacterial flagella, systolic means, pilin harpoons and a
novel external traction system utilizing kinesin or its analogs. A method
of communicating (perhaps also supplying electric power) with its
onboard control system is proposed, utilizing a
deployable, submillimeter band single-molecule radio antenna.
==============
> >Would it be possible to design 'stealth' nanites able to live
> >inside cells and suck up ATP for power? Would cyborg-amoebae
> >have any advantages over 'conventional' nanotech?
Several advantages: The above device (e.g.) is something that can be builtwithout
the use of atomic assemblers. Power can be derived from
natural, in vivo resourses. Biocompatibility can be engineered by
making the machine appear to be a native cell. Bioprocesses are
much easier to carry out, and much more efficient using existing
pathways than using atomic assembly. Etc.
> A cyborg macrophage could mechanically dispose of nonreactive
> substances like asbestos. Chop it up, put it in small wrapped
> bundles, and put it in some secretion. This could be particularly
> handy for lungs.
This is one of the functions of the "Cell Rover", using internal, drop-inmodules
for sequestering. It then excretes itself.
> Cells use a lot of microscopic motors for a host of functions (moving
> stuff around, going places) A motor with a greater power efficiency
> would be a real help.
Biological mechanisms such as the flagellar motor are already quiteefficient and
available off the shelf. In judging efficiency, look at the
overall system, not just the motor.
> Of course, drextech is currently designed on the assumption it operates
> in a vacuum free of ionizing radiation. I understand an aqueous
> environment full of reactive substances would be pretty hostile to drextech.
Rob Frietas does a lot of work with diamondoid in vivo, for his
upcoming"Nanomedicine" textbook. Atomic assembly is not performed in vivo, so
the vacuum problem goes away. He does speculate on diamondoid rod logic,
encapsulated in impermeable vessels. A smooth, hydrogen-terminated
diamond surface appears to be non-reactive and biocompatible.
-- Forrest Bishop Manager, Interworld Productions, LLC Chairman, Institute of Atomic-Scale Engineering http://www.speakeasy.org/~forrestb
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 15:04:00 MST