Massively Parallel Environment-Responsive Mechanism Based on Vorticella and Movable Machine

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop massively parallel environment-responsive mechanism based on Vorticella and a movable machine. The mechanism is powered by Vorticella and responsive to environment signals. Microorganisms have advantages such as stimuli-responsiveness and massively parallel processing. To develop the valve, we here study an environment-responsive mechanism powered by Vorticella. The mechanism use Vorticella as actuator. It contracts and elongates with a change of Ca²⁺ concentarion in the environment and controls a flow rate. We fabricated a magnetic block and patterned a movable structure in a microfluidic device. We injected cells of Vorticella and investigated manipulation of the cells by a magnetic force around a magnetic block. We cultured Vorticella and moved a movable structure to mechanically couple with Vorticella.