Biological Information Technology & Systems - BITS: Epigenetic Computers: An in vitro, in abstractio, and in silico Study

EIA-0130822 Boahen，KwabenaUniv.关于Pennsylvania：表观遗传计算机：最终，纳米技术将使我们能够从头开始设计可编程的信息处理器（计算机），从分子中生长它们。大脑是通过环境信号引发的表观遗传多细胞分化的力量以这种方式构建的。尽管我们对这一过程的理解取得了令人印象深刻的进展（Sanes，Reh et al. 2000），但还没有人试图设计一台基于神经生物学的见解通过生长来学习的计算机。利用来自体外和抽象的扩散性神经营养因子介导的神经元寻路（生长锥趋化性）和突触发生的研究中的信息，我们将开发一种可自配置的计算机，通过合并自定义的，非常大规模的集成，在硅微技术与不断增长的虚拟电线在个人连接的水平上重新编程。有了在这个项目中获得的见解，我们将准备利用纳米技术的快速进步所带来的真实的解剖可塑性。

EIA-0130822Boahen, KwabenaUniv. of PennsylvaniaBITS: Epigenetic Computers: An in vitro, in abstractio, and in silico studyUltimately, nanotechnology will enable us to design programmable information processors (computers) from the ground up, growing them from molecules. The brain is built in this fashion through the power of epigenesis multicellular differentiation triggered by environmental signals. Despite impressive progress in our understanding of this process (Sanes, Reh et al. 2000), no one has attempted to design a computer that learns by growing based on insights from neurobiology. Using information derived from in vitro and in abstractio studies of diffusible neurotrophic factor mediated neuronal pathfinding (growth-cone chemotaxis) and synaptogenesis, we will develop a self-configurable computer that reprograms itself at the level of individual connections by merging custom, very large scale integration, in silico microtechnology with growing virtual wires. With the insights gained in this project, we will be poised to take advantage of real anatomical plasticity made possible by rapid progress in nanotechnology.