Special Issue on Advances in System Cell Engineering by Multiscale Manipulation

Abstract

Recent advances in micro- and nano-robotics and mechatronics have led to the discovery of new bioscientific knowledge and the development of new methods of medical treatments and examinations. Scientific Research on Priority Areas, “System Cell Engineering by Multiscale Manipulation” (Head Investigator: Toshio Fukuda), was begun in 2005 to promote interdisciplinary research among engineering, biological, and medical fields and to promote progress in these fields. System cell engineering seeks to understand communication and control principles of a single cell focusing on multiscale manipulation - manipulation ranging from nanoscale to macroscale. By controlling the local environment around a single cell, we actively induce chemical and physical interaction inside and outside the cell and measure changes. We then clarify the mechanism behind the cell system, realize an artificial cell model based on gene expression control, and regenerate tissue by function control. Using innovative engineering, we obtain new scientific knowledge on life sciences and develop medical engineering, ultimately contributing to the good of society. Scientific Research on Priority Areas, “System Cell Engineering by Multiscale Manipulation,” was successfully concluded in March 2010. This special issue presents the latest achievements in system cell engineering and multiscale manipulation, following up on the special issue on System Cell Engineering by Multiscale Manipulation in Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics Vol.19, No.5 (October 20, 2007). Two reviews introduce challengingwork in themedical and biological fields, presenting suggestions to robotics and mechatronics engineers. Three papers develop microfluidic devices and embedded sensors. Three more papers present methods of fabricating micropatterns and microstructures using biological cells. Five papers propose novel actuators, tools, devices, and manipulation systems useful in bioscience and cell engineering. The second to the last paper in the series presents a method for micro teleoperation. The final paper discusses the simulation of self-reproduction of cells. We thank the authors for their invaluable contributions to this issue and the reviewers for their precious time and effort. We also thank the Editorial Board of JRM for making this issue possible.