Robots with Bacteria-Controlled Brains: Scientists Explore Synthetic Biology

First Posted: Jul 16, 2015 02:35 PM EDT

Imagine bacteria that control the mind of a robot. Sounds like something that wouldn't work, right? Now, though, scientists have used a mathematical model to demonstrate that bacteria can control the behavior of an inanimate device like a robot.

"Basically we were trying to find out from the mathematical model if we could build a living microbiome on a nonliving host and control the host through the microbiome," said Waren Ruder, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We found that robots may indeed be able to have a working brain."

Researchers are currently building real-world robots that will have the ability to read bacterial gene expression levels in E. coli using miniature fluorescent microscopes. The robots will, in theory, respond to bacteria that the scientists will engineer.

The bacteria in the mathematical experiment exhibited their genetic circuitry by either turning green or red, according to what they ate. The theoretical robot was equipped with sensors and a miniature microscope to measure the color of bacteria telling it where and how fast to go depending upon the pigment and intensity of color.

The model also revealed higher order functions. In one instance, as the bacteria were directing the robot toward more food, the robot paused before quickly making its final approach-a classic predatory behavior of higher order animals that stalk prey.

"We hope to help democratize the field of synthetic biology for students and researchers all over the world with this model," said Ruder. "In the future, rudimentary robots and E. coli that are already commonly used separately in classrooms could be linked with this model to teach students from elementary school through Ph.D.-level about bacterial relationships with other organisms."

The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports.