An abstract model of self-assembling systems is presented where assembly instructions are written as conformational switches-local rules that specify conformational changes of a component. The model, the self-assembling automaton, is defined as a sequential rule-based machine that operates on one-dimensional strings of symbols. Classes of self-assembling automata are defined based on classes of...

The Problem: The problem is to design an autonomous mobile robot that is self-assembling from independently mobile segments. We choose a design inspired by the constitution and motion of snakes or worms. In such a construction, the body of the robot is segmented and each segment can be designed as an autonomous entity, which is able to move and couple with other segments. Several of these segme...

Transition metals function as cofactors in specific proteins, catalyzing electron exchange reactions, binding substrates and stabilizing protein structure. Studies of human diseases and of model organisms have defined many of the molecular details of metal uptake, trafficking, and excretion. The current challenge is to integrate these details into a systematic view of metal content, speciation,...

Host complexes formed through non-covalent interactions comprise a rapidly growing area of supramolecular chemistry. In particular, three-dimensional hosts which reversibly encapsulate guests hold great potential as both novel tools in chemistry and as biological models. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and study of several selfassembling molecular capsules. In particular, we discuss ho...

We present here a new way of reasoning on a device based on structure, we call assembling a device. It consists of a symbolic combination of local qualitative constraints (namely confluences) leading to more global relations. Some reference variables are selected according to the task to be performed (simulation, observation, postdiction,...). The assembling step produces a set of equations exp...

interpreted by using a variety of schemes involving Ni(III)/Ni( I and Ni( I I I ) /Ni( I I ) /Ni( I ) / Ni(0)22 formal oxidation states. In all these schemes, the assignment of Ni(l1l) to the oxidized forms of the enzymes is based on the observation of hyperfine in 61Ni-labeled enzymes, the similarity of the EPR spectra to EPR spectra of tetragonal Ni(II1) coordination compounds, and the associ...

RCCS is a variant of Milner’s CCS where processes are allowed a controlled form of backtracking. It turns out that the RCCS reinterpretation of a CCS process is equivalent, in the sense of weak bisimilarity, to its causal transition system in CCS. This can be used to develop an efficient method for designing distributed algorithms, which we illustrate here by deriving a distributed algorithm fo...

We introduce and investigate string assembling systems which form a computational model that generates strings from copies out of a finite set of assembly units. The underlying mechanism is based on piecewise assembly of a double-stranded sequence of symbols, where the upper and lower strand have to match. The generation is additionally controlled by the requirement that the first symbol of a u...

The self-assembly of several classes of amphiphilic peptides is reviewed, and selected applications are discussed. We discuss recent work on the self-assembly of lipopeptides, surfactant-like peptides and amyloid peptides derived from the amyloid-β peptide. The influence of environmental variables such as pH and temperature on aggregate nanostructure is discussed. Enzyme-induced remodelling due...

An important topic in arti cial intelligence is the decomposition of larger problems into smaller ones that can be solved by more granular solutions. Modular, hybrid solutions tend to be built from components mostly created by the same programmer or the same team. In the World-Wide Mind project, many users submit their individual programs to solve problems in a collaborative and competitive env...