We would like to inform you that the program for the June 2016 regular meeting of the Molecular Robotics Research Group has been almost finalized, and the timetable has been updated.

“Molecular Robotics Research Group” June 2016 Regular Meeting (Tokyo)
Supported by: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Creation of Molecular Robots with Sensing and Intelligence (Molecular Robotics)”
Co-hosted by: The Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence (JSAI), Special Interest Group on Molecular Bioinformatics (SIG-MBI)

“Invitation to Research Areas Related to Molecular Robotics: From Nonequilibrium Physical Phenomena to Model-Cell Control”
Date & Time: Saturday, June 11, 2016, 13:30–17:00
Venue: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tamachi Campus, 2F Multipurpose Room 1 (Room 206)
Access: 2–3 minutes on foot from JR Tamachi Station
Participation fee: Free
Organizer: Masahiro Takinoue (School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
takinoue.m.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp

After the meeting, we plan to hold a social gathering (at your own expense).
If you wish to participate, please let Takinoue (takinoue.m.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp) know using the reply form below.
The RSVP deadline for the social gathering is June 4.
(We would appreciate it if you could contact us as early as possible.)

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“I will participate” in the social gathering for the June 2016 regular meeting
*We are not counting attendance for the meeting itself, so please reply only if you will attend the social gathering.
Name:
Affiliation:
*Deadline: June 4
*To: Takinoue (takinoue.m.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp)
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———- Program ——–

“Molecular Robotics Research Group” June 2016 Regular Meeting (Tokyo)
Supported by: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Creation of Molecular Robots with Sensing and Intelligence (Molecular Robotics)”
“Invitation to Research Areas Related to Molecular Robotics: From Nonequilibrium Physical Phenomena to Model-Cell Control”
13:00–13:25 Registration
13:25–13:30 Opening remarks
13:30–14:15 Special Lecture 1
Speaker: Dr. Yoshiko Takenaka (Senior Researcher, Functional Chemicals Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))
“Light-Driven Microparticle Motion in Liquid Crystals: Toward the Development of Soft Actuators”
Many studies have investigated driving microparticles in liquid crystals, using driving forces such as electroconvection, interactions with liquid-crystal defects, temperature gradients, and photoreactions of photoresponsive molecules dispersed in liquid crystals. In this study, we found a phenomenon in which microparticles move under light irradiation in a pure liquid crystal that contains no dispersed photoresponsive molecules, and we will introduce it here. This phenomenon is observed just below the nematic–isotropic transition point, and we infer that it results from dramatic volume expansion of the liquid crystal induced by a tiny temperature change caused by photothermal conversion.
14:15–14:20 5-min break
14:20–15:05 Special Lecture 2
Speaker: Prof. Fumi Kano (Associate Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
“Semi-Intact Cell Resealing Technology: Application Examples for Disease Model Cells”
With advances in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and the genome-editing technology CRISPR/Cas9, “cell therapy,” which manipulates cells themselves for treatment, has become feasible. To manipulate cells safely, it is essential to develop genome-editing methods and intracellular protein delivery methods that do not rely on viral vectors. In this talk, we will introduce a new intracellular molecular delivery method using semi-intact cell resealing technology—a reversible plasma-membrane perforation method—and the construction of disease model cells using this method.
15:05–15:15 10-min break
15:15–16:00 Special Lecture 3
Speaker: Dr. Yutaka Hori (Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics, Keio University)
“Design and Prototyping of Gene Circuits Using Feedback Control Theory”
We will introduce a feedback-control-theory framework for systematic modeling, analysis, and design of gene circuits (gene regulatory networks) with desired dynamic characteristics, as well as an experimental platform for efficiently prototyping, testing, and validating circuits. In particular, using an oscillator circuit as an example, we will first analyze the relationship between reaction parameters and oscillatory characteristics using tools from control theory. Then, based on the analysis, we will describe the process of designing the oscillator circuit and actually achieving the desired dynamics by tuning parameters using microfluidics and a cell-free protein synthesis system.
16:00–16:05 5-min break
16:05–16:30 General Talk 1
Daisuke Ishikawa (PD, Takinoue Lab, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
“An Approach Toward Building Molecular-Sensing Microsystems”
Artificial systems that mimic cellular structures and functions have mainly been based on lipid-molecule membranes with introduced ion-channel structures, and it is extremely difficult for them to allow passage of molecules on the order of a few nanometers. In this presentation, to build a system capable of sensing molecules, we introduce a new microcapsule with pores large enough to allow molecular passage, using DNA as a material with highly flexible designability.
16:30–17:00 General Talk 2
Kan Shoji (PD, Kawano Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
“Development of a Living Battery for Application to Hybrid Molecular Robots”
In this study, aiming to create hybrid molecular robots, we developed a living battery that generates electricity using chemical energy possessed by biological systems. We also succeeded in insulating and stacking the batteries by separating them with lipid bilayers. These results indicate the potential to apply this chemical-energy-based battery as a power source for hybrid molecular robots.