Bioelectronics

As bioelectronics , the area is biotechnology called, an attempt in which to combine biological and electronic components and to make as technically usable. Bioelectronic research focuses primarily on biosensors , the development of biologically controlled prostheses and the DNA computer (prototype TT-100 ).

Bioelectronics is based on the fact that biological systems such as electronic circuits use electrical impulses to process information. The human brain , for example, is an extremely complex system in which 100 billion cells are linked to one another and linked by electrical and biochemical connections.

The research group led by Peter Fromherz at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried succeeded in creating the first direct connection between living cells . In 1991 the team succeeded in measuring changes in the electrical field of a living nerve cell with the help of silicon semiconductors they had developed. The difficulty lies in the different types of communication via electrical charge carriers: semiconductors use electrons, cells use ions. In 1995 it was possible for the first time to transfer information in the other direction. The aim of this research is to make prostheses directly controllable via the nerve cells and thus via the brain.

The development of biosensors is particularly advanced . In some areas, this has already advanced to the point where it is ready for use. Biosensors are semiconductor elements that are equipped with biological molecules or cells. These can be enzymes or antibodies . In this way, a system is created that can convert biochemical signals into electrical impulses and pass them on to electronic circuits. With these sensors, concentrations of toxins , blood sugar levels or air and water pollution, for example, can be registered even with minor changes.

In the early stages of development are the DNA computers , in which the data storage and processing is to be based on the genetic molecule DNA . In this way, computers with extremely high computing power and extremely fast processing times should be created.

Molecular stores and plant stores are also in the early stages .

See also

• Bioelectrochemistry
• Brain-computer interface
• Cyberware
• Neuroprosthesis

Web links

• Institute for Nano- and Biotechnologies at the FH Aachen
• Joint laboratory for bioelectronics at the TU Berlin
• Bioelectronics group at the Jülich Research Center
• Chips and neurons in dialogue - report on the work of Peter Fromherz's group
• M. Birkholz: Convergence in sight - microelectronics and biotechnology are growing together

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Michael Leitner: Avoid data loss: Molecular storage saves data for centuries. Retrieved July 17, 2019 . 
2. ↑ Storing data into a living plants. Retrieved July 17, 2019 .