Michael Taynnan Barros

University of Essex · School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

Calcium (Ca2+)-signaling-based molecular communication is a short-range communication process that diffuses and propagates ions between the cells of a tissue. The communication process is initiated via stimulation and amplification of the production of Ca2+ ions within a cell; these ions then diffuse through a physical connection between cells call...

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have significantly improved the patientsfi quality of life by restoring damaged hearing, sight, and movement capabilities. After evolving their application scenarios, the current trend of BCI is to enable new innovative brain-to-brain and brain-to-the-Internet communication paradigms. This technological advancement...

This paper proposes the use of astrocytes to realize Boolean logic gates, through manipulation of the threshold of $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$ Ca 2 + ion flows between the cells based on the input signals. Through wet-lab experiments that engineer the astrocytes cells with pcDNA3.1-hGPR17 genes as well as chemical compounds, we show that both AND and OR ga...

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains, neurosciences and wireless communications, motivated by the ongoing efforts to define the (). In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative approach that bridges the gap between these two seem...

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by viral infections each year, and yet, several of them neither have vaccines nor effective treatment during and post-infection. This challenge has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how viruses can quickly spread and impact society as a whole. Novel interdisciplinary techniques...

In this article, we aim to study how astrocytes control electrophysiological activity during neuronal network formation. We used a combination of spike/burst analysis, classification of spike waveforms based on various signal properties and tools from information theory to demonstrate how astrocytes modulate the electrical activity of neurons using...

In this study, we develop an in silico model of a neuron’s behaviour under demyelination caused by a cytokine storm to investigate the effects of viral infections in the brain. We use a comprehensive model to measure how cytokine-induced demyelination affects the propagation of action potential (AP) signals within a neuron. We analysed the effects...

With conventional silicon-based computing approaching its physical and efficiency limits, biocomputing emerges as a promising alternative. This approach utilises biomaterials such as DNA and neurons as an interesting alternative to data processing and storage. This study explores the potential of neuronal biocomputing to rival silicon-based systems...

Molecular communication (MC) allows implantable devices to communicate using biological data-transmission principles (e.g., molecules as information carriers). However, MC faces significant challenges due to molecular noise, which leads to increased communication errors. Thus, error control techniques become critical for reliable intra-body network...

While deep learning and backpropagation continue to dominate the field of machine learning in terms of benchmarks and versatility, recent neuroscientific advances shed light on more biologically plausible approaches. Spiking neural networks (SNNs), modelled after action potential dynamics, offer inherent time sensitivity and more efficiency in term...

With many advancements in in silico multiscale biology in recent years, the paramount challenge is to translate the accumulated knowledge into exciting industry partnerships and clinical applications. Historically, the pharmaceutical industry has worked well with in silico models by leveraging their prediction capabilities for drug testing. However...

p>In this work, we aim to study how astrocytes control electrophysiological activity during network formation. Here we use a combination of spike/burst analysis and complex analysis of the raw neuronal signals to assess the role of astrocytes on microelectrode arrays (MEA). We cultured rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes on 60-electrode MEA...

The Transfer of ‘information’ via molecules is a theme that resonates across the realm of nature, underlying collective behavior, homeostasis, and many disorders and diseases, and potentially holding the answers to some of the life’s most profound questions. The prospects of understanding and manipulating this natural modality of communication have...

With many advancements in in silico biology in recent years, the paramount challenge is to translate the accumulated knowledge into exciting industry partnerships and clinical applications. Achieving models that characterize the link of molecular interactions to the activity and structure of a whole organ are termed multiscale biophysics. Historica...

The Internet of Bio-Nano Things in the Brain are minimally invasive untethered links between the brain tissue and silicon platforms. Even though these interfaces have been envisioned for many biomedical applications, it is unclear how the ultimate technology will support spatially distributed networks. In this paper, we address the distributed powe...

p>Astrocytes have the ability to modulate neuronal communication by regulating various levels of ionic concentrations. The development of models for molecular communication ought to investigate the utilisation of various ionic transportation mechanisms, with the aim of enhancing performance and biocompatibility, thereby facilitating co-existence wi...

p>Astrocytes have the ability to modulate neuronal communication by regulating various levels of ionic concentrations. The development of models for molecular communication ought to investigate the utilisation of various ionic transportation mechanisms, with the aim of enhancing performance and biocompatibility, thereby facilitating co-existence wi...

p>In this work, we aim to study how astrocytes control electrophysiological activity during network formation. Here we use a combination of spike/burst analysis and complex analysis of the raw neuronal signals to assess the role of astrocytes on microelectrode arrays (MEA). We cultured rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes on 60-electrode MEA...

p>In this work, we aim to study how astrocytes control electrophysiological activity during network formation. Here we use a combination of spike/burst analysis and complex analysis of the raw neuronal signals to assess the role of astrocytes on microelectrode arrays (MEA). We cultured rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes on 60-electrode MEA...

Within many chemical and biological systems, both synthetic and natural, communication via chemical messengers is widely viewed as a key feature. Often known as molecular communication, such communication has been a concern in the fields of synthetic biologists, nanotechnologists, communications engineers, and philosophers of science. However, inte...

Astrocytes have the ability to modulate neuronal communication by regulating various levels of ionic concentrations. The development of models for molecular communication ought to investigate the utilisation of various ionic transportation mechanisms, with the aim of enhancing performance and biocompatibility, thereby facilitating co-existence with...

We investigate how an IRS (Intelligent Reflective Surface) deployment within a terahertz (THz) band communication system, can detect and classify indoor vapour clouds expelled in violent expiratory events, such as coughing. This detection is of interest for public health systems. Since indoor spaces are sites for deployment of wireless communicatio...

The classification of biological neuron types and networks poses challenges to the full understanding of the human brain’s organisation and functioning. In this paper, we develop a novel objective classification model of biological neuronal morphology and electrical types and their networks, based on the attributes of neuronal communication using s...

Biocomputing systems based on engineered bacteria can lead to novel tools for environmental monitoring and detection of metabolic diseases. In this paper, we propose a Bacterial Molecular Computing on a Chip (BMCoC) using microfluidic and electrochemical sensing technologies. The computing can be flexibly integrated into the chip, but we focus on e...

Biocomputing technologies exploit biological communication mechanisms involving cell-cell signal propagation to perform computations. Researchers recently worked toward realising logic gates made by neurons to develop novel devices such as organic neuroprostheses or brain implants made by cells, herein termed living implants. Several challenges ari...

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most prolific and deadly brain cancer with a median survival time of around 15 months. Despite the many recent advances on its treatment, this brain tumor remains resistant to most therapeutic solutions available and ultimately recurs. Recurrence evolves from hypoxic foci of chemotherapy and radiotherapy resista...

div> Wireless Neural Interfaces are minimally invasive untethered links between the brain tissue and silicon platforms. Even though these interfaces have been envisioned for many biomedical applications, it is unclear how the ultimate technology will be, due to the lack of studies that support spatially distributed networks. In this paper, we cont...

div> Wireless Neural Interfaces are minimally invasive untethered links between the brain tissue and silicon platforms. Even though these interfaces have been envisioned for many biomedical applications, it is unclear how the ultimate technology will be, due to the lack of studies that support spatially distributed networks. In this paper, we cont...

Synaptic communication is studied by communication engineers for two main reasons. One is to enable novel neuroengineering applications that require interfacing with neurons. The other reason is to draw inspiration for the design of synthetic molecular communication systems. Both of these goals require understanding of how the chemical synaptic sig...

Biocomputing technologies exploit biological communication mechanisms involving cell-cell signal propagation to perform computations. Researchers recently worked toward realising logic gates made by neurons to develop novel devices such as organic neuroprostheses or brain implants made by cells, herein termed as living implants. Several challenges...

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has driven researchers from different spectrum to develop novel solutions that can improve detection and understanding of SARS-CoV- 2 virus. In this article we propose the use of Intelligent Reflector Surface (IRS) and terahertz communication systems to detect violent expiratory aerosol cloud that are secreted from peop...

Demyelination of neurons can compromise the communication performance between the cells as the absence of myelin attenuates the action potential propagated through the axonal pathway. In this work, we propose a hybrid experimental and simulation model for analyzing the demyelination effects on neuron communication. The experiment involves locally i...

Astrocytes and neurons respond to each other by releasing transmitters, such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, that modulate the synaptic transmission and electrochemical behavior of both cell types. Astrocytes also maintain neuronal homeostasis by clearing neurotransmitters from the extracellular space. These astrocytic actions are alte...

The COVID-19 pandemic in the last year has brought along numerous challenges on all fronts for humanity. Besides the high number of fatalities, economic and societal impact, the virus has also raised a question on the current approaches and methodologies for combatting pandemics. An important factor in this global fight against the pandemic, is the...

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has driven researchers from different spectrum to develop novel solutions that can improve detection and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this article we propose the use of Intelligent Reflector Surface (IRS) emitting terahertz signals to detect airborne respiratory aerosol cloud that are secreted from people. Our...

While metasurface-based intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) are an important emerging technology for future generations of wireless connectivity in its own right, plans for the mass deployment of these surfaces motivate the question of their integration with other new and emerging technologies that would require such widespread deployment. This q...

Progress in bioengineering and nanotechnology has led to advances in implantable nanoscale devices. Providing synthetic molecular communication among these devices is an ongoing unsolved challenge. Biological systems inspire promising approaches for engineering data communication in molecular communication, but noises from dynamic tissue signaling...

Molecular communications (MC) broadly defines information exchange using (bio-)chemical signals over multiple scales. The research in this area addresses various fields where MC plays an important role. Notable examples include 1) the modeling of living systems, which aims to gain new insights into biological systems; 2) their interface with the ou...

Biocomputing systems based on engineered bacteria can lead to novel tools for environmental monitoring and detection of metabolic diseases. In this paper, we propose a Bacterial Molecular Computing on a Chip (BMCoC) using microfluidic and electrochemical sensing technologies. The computing can be flexibly integrated into the chip, but we focus on e...

Biocomputing systems based on engineered bacteria can lead to novel tools for environmental monitoring and detection of metabolic diseases. In this paper, we propose a Bacterial Molecular Computing on a Chip (BMCoC) using microfluidic and electrochemical sensing technologies. The computing can be flexibly integrated into the chip, but we focus on e...

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world unprecedentedly, where it has affected the vast global population both socially and economically. The pandemic has also opened our eyes to the many threats that novel virus infections can pose for humanity. While numerous unknowns are being investigated in terms of the distributed damage that the virus can...

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high fatality rates, especially for patients who suffer from underlying health issues. One of the more serious symptoms exhibited from patients suffering from an acute COVID-19 infection is breathing difficulties and shortness of breath, which is largely due to the excessive fluid (cellular leakage and c...

Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM) is known as one of the most malignant tumours in the brain, and challenges remain in developing effective therapeutic solutions. This paper addresses an open-loop control molecular communication system using an adaptive algorithm that controls engineered induced Neural Stem Cells (iNSCs) to release therapeutic exosomes...

a prominent glial cell type in the brain – form networks that tightly interact with the brain’s neuronal circuits. Thus, it is essential to study the modes of such interaction if we aim to understand how neural circuits process information. Thereby, calcium elevations, the primary signal in astrocytes, propagate to the adjacent neighboring cells an...

Abordagens promissoras para a engenharia da comunicação de dados para nanorredes são inspiradas nos sistemas biológicos, porém as comunicações moleculares possuem baixo desempenho devido à propagação estocástica dos dados e ao excesso de ruído no ambiente. A presença de ruído gera comunicações propensas a erros e comprometem o desempenho da rede. D...

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains: Neurosciences and wireless communications , motivated by the ongoing efforts to define how the sixth generation of mobile networks (6G) will be. In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative a...

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by viral infections each year, and yet, several of them neither have vaccines nor effective treatment during and post-infection. This challenge has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how viruses can quickly spread and how they can impact society as a whole. Novel techniques that...

High-frequency firing activity can be induced either naturally in a healthy brain as a result of the processing of sensory stimuli or as an uncontrolled synchronous activity characterizing epileptic seizures. As part of this work, we investigate how logic circuits that are engineered in neurons can be used to design spike filters, attenuating high-...

While metasurface based intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) are an important emerging technology for future generations of wireless connectivity in its own right, the plans for the mass deployment of these surfaces motivate the question of their integration with other new and emerging technologies that would require mass proliferation. This quest...

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) arose as systems that merge computing systems with the human brain to facilitate recording, stimulation, and inhibition of neural activity. Over the years, the development of BCI technologies has shifted towards miniaturization of devices that can be seamlessly embedded into the brain and can target single neuron or...

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) arose as systems that merge computing systems with the human brain to facilitate recording, stimulation, and inhibition of neural activity. Over the years, the development of BCI technologies has shifted towards miniaturization of devices that can be seamlessly embedded into the brain and can target single neuron or...

This paper proposes the use of Eukaryotic cells, namely astrocytes, to develop logic gates. The logic gates are achieved by manipulating the threshold of Ca$^{2+}$ ion flows between the cells, based on the input signals. Through wet-lab experiments that engineer the astrocytes cells with pcDNA3.1-hGPR17 genes, we show that both AND and OR gates can...

The performance demands from data-intensive applications, such as multimedia streaming, as well as the growing number of devices connecting to the Internet, will increase the need for higher capacity wireless communication links. The research community has recently explored regions of the spectrum, including the Terahertz band (0.1 THz to 10 THz),...

A novel implantable and externally controllable stem-cell-based platform for the treatment of Glioblastoma brain cancer has been proposed to bring hope to patients who suffer from this devastating cancer type. Induced Neural Stem Cells (iNSCs), known to have potent therapeutic effects through exosomes-based molecular communication, play a pivotal r...

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains: Neurosciences and wireless communications, motivated by the ongoing efforts to define how the sixth generation of mobile networks (6G) will be. In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative ap...

Classification of biological neuron types and networks poses challenges to the full understanding of the brain's organisation and functioning. In this paper, we develop a novel objective classification model of biological neuronal types and networks based on the communication metrics of neurons. This presents advantages against the existing approac...

With the advancement of synthetic biology, several new tools have been conceptualized over the years as alternative treatments for current medical procedures. This work we investigate how synthetically engineered neurons can operate as digital logic gates that can be used towards bio-computing inside the brain and its impact on epileptic seizure-li...

The 5G promise for ubiquitous communications is expected to be a key enabler for transportation efficiency. However, the consequent increase of both data payload and number of users derived from new Intelligent Transport Systems makes network management even more challenging; an ideal network management will need to be capable of self‐managing fast...