Communication via FRET in Nanonetworks of Mobile Proteins

TL;DR

This paper models communication between mobile proteins on cell surfaces using FRET, combining molecular simulations and diffusion theory to evaluate signal transfer efficiency and error rates in a biologically inspired nanonetwork.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation framework for protein-based nanonetworks utilizing FRET and diffusion models, providing insights into signal transfer reliability.

Findings

Calculated probability of efficient FRET-based signal transfer.

Analyzed bit error rates in protein nanonetworks.

Demonstrated feasibility of molecular communication models.

Abstract

A practical, biologically motivated case of protein complexes (immunoglobulin G and FcRII receptors) moving on the surface of mastcells, that are common parts of an immunological system, is investigated. Proteins are considered as nanomachines creating a nanonetwork. Accurate molecular models of the proteins and the fluorophores which act as their nanoantennas are used to simulate the communication between the nanomachines when they are close to each other. The theory of diffusion-based Brownian motion is applied to model movements of the proteins. It is assumed that fluorophore molecules send and receive signals using the Forster Resonance Energy Transfer. The probability of the efficient signal transfer and the respective bit error rate are calculated and discussed.