ツリガネムシと可動機械を用いた超並列マイクロ環境応答機構の開発

抄録

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.