Applications

ESIGNET combines ideas from Computer Science, Biology, Artificial Life and Engineering. Today, computer-aided research into biological problems is an essential and well-established scientific activity. The project does not propose to add yet another method to a field that has already proven its utility, but aspires to study fundamental principles of CSNs from a new perspective. If successful, it has the potential to spawn substantial scientific and technological developments. As such it could help to retain the competitiveness of European research and its ability to create innovation in the long term. What is more, it is expected that within the life-time of the project a first concrete application will be developed.

Impact on Biological Research
Within Biology, ESIGNET will provide a completely new perspective on the properties of real CSNs and new ways to study them. Instead of having to rely on the analysis of CSNs, it will be possible to understand the context and functionality of CSNs by building them. This could prove vital for a number of applications: failures of CSNs in vivo are major causes for many diseases, most notably cancer. Furthermore, it is expected that the predictor for components of CSNs will be of immediate use as a tool for Biologists.

Impact on Computer Science
In Computer Science, the project will have direct impact on molecular computing (currently an intensely researched topic). A central part of this project is to understand the properties of special-purpose molecular computers and how they can be programmed. It is also of high relevance for future attempts to built molecular wetware computers in vitro. Such devices have high potential applicability as parts of nano-machines or as massively parallel, yet very small, special-purpose computers. Scientific insight derived from the proposed project will directly increase our understanding of how to program such computers.

Impact on Other Fields
An increased understanding of CSNs will also be extendable to other types of signaling systems. Examples are telecommunication systems or tra c networks. In business contexts, the approach used in the project might find applications in, for example, the study of communication networks in large companies or supply chains. Somewhat further in the future, artificially designed CSNs might be used in intelligent drug delivering systems that can release highly localized drugs with an accurate dosage.

Author: : root -- 13.6.2006 2:15:57

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