Nakakuki Laboratory

​Based on control theory, we are conducting research on molecular cybernetics, molecular robotics, and systems biology.

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Currently, research institutes in Japan and overseas are competing in the research and development of invisible small robots, or micron-sized robots. In our laboratory, we are engaged in research on molecular computers, which play a central role in the intelligence of molecular robots.

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In the 2000s, technologies for self-organizing systems using artificially designed molecules appeared. It is also called DNA nanotechnology because it mainly uses DNA as a molecule. By mastering DNA nanotechnology, it is possible to freely design nano-sized structures, design molecular computers, and combine them to create and manipulate "robots" that are about the size of cells. It came to be.

 

Then, researchers all over the world are competing to create a dream application that no one has yet seen, " What would be useful to the world? " Using this technology. Research and development is underway in various fields such as medical care, energy, environment, and new principle computers.

In our laboratory, we are conducting research and development based on two strategic axes. The first is "molecular robots for medical applications". The development of a molecular robot that patrols while circulating in blood vessels like immune cells will trigger a medical revolution. The second is "realization of a new principle computer". If a molecular robot has the function of nerve cells (neurons) and a massively parallel molecular computer is created, it will bring about technological innovation.

 

In "molecular robots for medical applications", a feedback control circuit that processes signals from molecular sensors and adjusts the movement of the robot according to the situation is required. Since the entire robot made of only biomolecules is a huge non-linear system mathematically, trial and error design does not work at all. Therefore, we are conducting research aimed at constructing a design method based on control theory.

In the "new principle computer", it is required to execute intelligent information processing by molecular computing by using a molecular robot as a neuron cell. To put it simply, it can be said that we are researching and developing the theory and technology for creating AI (artificial intelligence) using molecular robotics.

 

Molecular robotics is a completely new research area that includes control engineering, information engineering, biophysics, and chemistry, and is, so to speak, a new continent in research. Let's work together to create innovative applications in this new continent!

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