On loading slime mould Physarum polycephalum with metallic particles

Mayne, Richard; Patton, David; de Lacy Costello, Ben; Patton, Rosemary; Adamatzky, Andrew

Abstract

Plasmodium \emph{Physarum polycephalum} is a large single cell visible with the naked eye. When inoculated on a substrate with attractants and repellents the plasmodium develops optimal networks of protoplasmic tubes which span sites of attractants (i.e. nutrients) yet avoid domains with a high nutrient concentration. Therefore it should be possible to program the plasmodium towards deterministic adaptive transformation of nano- and micro-scale materials. In laboratory experiments with magnetite nano-particles and glass micro-spheres coated with silver metal we demonstrate that the plasmodium of P. polycephalum can propagate the nano-scale objects using a number of distinct mechanisms including endocytosis, transcytosis and dragging. The results of our experiments could be used in the development of novel techniques targetted towards the growth of metallised biological wires and hybrid nano- and micro-circuits.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Journal: tbc
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Physarum polycephalum, mineralisation, endocytosis, nanoparticle-transportation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/932117