Page 14 - ITU Journal Future and evolving technologies Volume 2 (2021), Issue 3 – Internet of Bio-Nano Things for health applications

ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, Volume 2 (2021), Issue 3

2. FRAMEWORK
research directions that can target Developing new
communication methods for IoBNT is the foremost chal‑
2.1 Natural IoBNT
conventional electr tech‑
ar either f for size‑ energy‑
In the last several billion years, most basic single cell or‑
constr BNT or performing well envi‑
ganisms evolved into complex systems of multi‑cellular
sioned application envir intra‑
organisms composed of living nanoscale building blocks,
body Molecular hav emer the
i.e., cells, to perform the most intricate tasks in an
most promising technique to enable IoBNT, as it is already
optimized fashion. This highly coordinated structure
utilized by natural BNTs in a ridiculously energy‑ef icient
of multicellular organisms are indeed a result of self‑
and robust manner In addition to the detailed review of
organized networks of cells communicating at various
MC research, we also look into other emerging communi‑
scales. Hence, these networks can be considered as na-
cation methods proposed for IoBNT, such as those based
tural IoBNTs and many lessons can be drawn in terms
on acoustic waves, terahertz (THz)‑band EM waves, and
of effective techniques of communications and
Fö rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The emer-
networking at nanoscale by observing the behavior of
ging of
these natural IoBNTS. Here, we will describe some of
infrastructure is also discussed through an overview of
the most natural IoBNTS, namely, human body
thrubody haptic vagus nerve‑based
nanonetworks, bacterial nanonetworks, and plant
communication microbiome‑gut‑brain‑axis‑based
networks.
communication proposed to connect BNTs within human
body.
2.1.1 Human‑body nanonetworks
Biological systems in the human body are connected to
Bio‑cyber interfaces at of applica‑ each other and communicate primarily through molecu‑
consist seamless interconnection of lar interactions and action potentials. These commu-
heterogeneous technologies in diverse application envi‑ nication pathways enable the coordination of various
provide review of electri‑ types of cells, which are basic building blocks of life,
cal and optical bio‑cyber interfacing technologies inclu- and organization into tissues, organs, and systems
with different structures and functions. The dense
d biosensing‑, redox‑, optogenetics‑ luores-
network of interconnected cells use signaling at
cence‑based techniques as well as the newly emerging
various scales such as juxtracrine (signaling among
magnetic THz‑based methods. applications
cells in contact with each other), paracrine
high spatio‑temporal resolutions
(signaling among cells in the vicinity of each other,
monitoring are expected to generate and handle
but not in contact), or endocrine (signaling among
signi icant amount of heterogeneous data, imposing cells distant from each other). The performance and
critical challenges of big data processing, storage, and reliability of this intrabody networks ensures the
transfer, which are also reviewed in this paper health of the human body by preserving the equilibrium
Self‑sustaining BNTs are key to the success of IoBNT state, i.e., homeostasis, achieved by tight control of
applications. Although engineered cell‑based BNTs nervous system reacting to molecular and electrical
might have an inherited metabolism for energy inputs coming from all parts of the body and
environmental cues coming through ive senses. Any
management, arti icial BNTs such as those based on
failure in communication in these networks
nanomaterials should have dedicated mechanisms for en‑
will deteriorate the health and lead to diseases [4].
ergy harvesting (EH) and storage for continuous opera‑
For example, i) problems in electrical signaling of heart
tion. We review various EH technologies that are suitable
cells cause arrhythmia, i.e., irregular heartbeat,
for the envisioned BNT architectures and IoBNT applica‑
which can end in heart failure, stroke or sudden
tion environments. Wireless power transfer (WPT) tech‑ death; ii) communication problems between the
niques and energy storage technologies are also reviewed brain and the body arising from the damage to
to provide a broader perspective on the energy challenges protective sheath (myelin) that cover nerve ibers
of IoBNT discuss security privacy biocom‑ by immune system attacks which is the Multiple
patibility and co‑existence challenges of IoBNT origina- Sclerosis (MS) disease potentially causing paralysis; iii)
ting from the unprecedentedly close interaction with irresponsiveness of cells to insulin which is a molecule
carrying information re-gulating metabolism in
the complex biological systems,
endocrine pathways leads to diabetes; iv)
human body.
irregular signaling in the microbiome‑gut‑brain
axis, where microbes in gut and brain cells exchange
information through endocrine and nervous
Although there are many recent survey articles focused on
pathways, is shown to affect mood, neuro-
particular aspects of IoBNT [7, 13, 3, 6, 14, 15, 9, 16], this development, and obesity. The most advanced and
comprehensive review at providing broader complex human‑body network is the nervous system
snapshot of the state‑of‑the‑art in the entire IoBNT ield [5], composed of a very large scale network of neurons
in order to contribute to an holistic understanding of the interconnected through neuro‑spike [17] and synapse
technological potential research [18] communication channels. The nervous
directions. nanonetwork distributed throughout the body
2 © International Telecommunication Union, 2021