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On the internalisation, intraplasmodial carriage and excretion of metallic nanoparticles in the slime mould, Physarum polycephalum

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

Authors

Richard Mayne Richard.Mayne@uwe.ac.uk
Lecturer in Maths Supporting Science

David Patton

Rosemary Camilla Patton



Abstract

The plasmodium of 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. It should therefore be possible to program the plasmodium towards deterministic adaptive transformation of internalised nano- and micro-scale materials. In laboratory experiments with magnetite nanoparticles and glass micro spheres coated with silver metal the authors 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 the authors’ experiments could be used in the development of novel techniques targeted towards the growth of metallised biological wires and hybrid nano- and micro-circuits.

Citation

Mayne, R., Patton, D., Costello, B. D. L., Adamatzky, A., & Patton, R. C. (2011). On the internalisation, intraplasmodial carriage and excretion of metallic nanoparticles in the slime mould, Physarum polycephalum. International Journal of Nanotechnology and Molecular Computation, 3(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijnmc.2011070101

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 1, 2011
Publication Date Jan 1, 2011
Deposit Date Mar 22, 2016
Journal International Journal of Nanotechnology and Molecular Computation
Print ISSN 1941-6318
Publisher IGI Global
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 3
Pages 1-14
DOI https://doi.org/10.4018/ijnmc.2011070101
Keywords physarum polycephalum, slime mould, unconventional computing
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/970249
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijnmc.2011070101