arXiv subjects

Jan Halamek

Publications and source records attributed to Jan Halamek.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Promises and Challenges in Continuous Tracking Utilizing Amino Acids in Skin Secretions for Active Multi-Factor Biometric Authentication for Cybersecurity

We consider a new concept of biometric-based cybersecurity systems for active authentication by continuous tracking, which utilizes biochemical processing of metabolites present in skin secretions. Skin secretions contain a large number of metabolites and small molecules that can be targeted for analysis. Here we argue that amino acids found in sweat can be exploited for the establishment of an amino acid profile capable of identifying an individual user of a mobile or wearable device. Individual and combinations of amino acids processed by biocatalytic cascades yield physical (optical or electronic) signals, providing a time-series of several outputs that, in their entirety, should suffice to authenticate a specific user based on standard statistical criteria. Initial results, motivated by biometrics, indicate that single amino acid levels can provide analog signals that vary according to the individual donor, albeit with limited resolution versus noise. However, some such assays offer digital separation (into well-defined ranges of values) according to groups such as age, biological sex, race, and physiological state of the individual. Multi-input biocatalytic cascades that handle several amino acid signals to yield a single digital-type output, as well as continuous-tracking time-series data rather than a single-instance sample, should enable active authentication at the level of an individual.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2013

Networked Enzymatic Logic Gates with Filtering: New Theoretical Modeling Expressions and Their Experimental Application

We report the first study of a network of connected enzyme-catalyzed reactions, with added chemical and enzymatic processes that incorporate the recently developed biochemical filtering steps into the functioning of this biocatalytic cascade. New theoretical expressions are derived to allow simple, few-parameter modeling of network components concatenated in such cascades, both with and without filtering. The derived expressions are tested against experimental data obtained for the realized network's responses, measured optically, to variations of its input chemicals' concentrations with and without filtering processes. We also describe how the present modeling approach captures and explains several observations and features identified in earlier studies of enzymatic processes when they were considered as potential network components for multi-step information/signal processing systems.

q-bio.MN↗

arXiv2013

Enzymatic AND Logic Gate with Sigmoid Response Induced by Photochemically Controlled Oxidation of the Output

We report a study of a system which involves an enzymatic cascade realizing an AND logic gate, with an added photochemical processing of the output allowing to make the gate's response sigmoid in both inputs. New functional forms are developed for quantifying the kinetics of such systems, specifically designed to model their response in terms of signal and information processing. These theoretical expressions are tested for the studied system, which also allows us to consider aspects of biochemical information processing such as noise transmission properties and control of timing of the chemical and physical steps.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2013

Modularity of Biochemical Filtering for Inducing Sigmoid Response in Both Inputs in an Enzymatic AND Gate

We report the first systematic study of designed two-input biochemical systems as information processing gates with favorable noise-transmission properties accomplished by modifying the gate's response from convex shape to sigmoid in both inputs. This is realized by an added chemical "filter" process which recycles some of the output back into one of the inputs. We study a system involving the biocatalytic function of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase, functioning as an AND gate. We consider modularity properties, such as the use of three different input chromogens that, when oxidized yield signal-detection outputs for various ranges of the primary input, hydrogen peroxide. We also examine possible uses of different filter-effect chemicals (reducing agents) to induce the sigmoid-response. A modeling approach is developed and applied to our data, allowing us to describe the enzymatic kinetics in the framework of a formulation suitable for evaluating the noise-handling properties of the studied systems as logic gates for information processing steps.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2013

Bioinspired Associative Memory System Based on Enzymatic Cascades

A biomolecular system representing the first realization of associative memory based on enzymatic reactions in vitro has been designed. The system demonstrated "training" and "forgetting" features characteristic of memory in biological systems, but presently realized in simple biocatalytic cascades.

q-bio.MN↗

arXiv2013

Two-Input Enzymatic Logic Gates Made Sigmoid by Modifications of the Biocatalytic Reaction Cascades

Computing based on biochemical processes is a newest rapidly developing field of unconventional information and signal processing. In this paper we present results of our research in the field of biochemical computing and summarize the obtained numerical and experimental data for implementations of the standard two-input OR and AND gates with double-sigmoid shape of the output signal. This form of response was obtained as a function of the two inputs in each of the realized biochemical systems. The enzymatic gate processes in the first system were activated with two chemical inputs and resulted in optically detected chromogen oxidation, which happens when either one or both of the inputs are present. In this case, the biochemical system is functioning as the OR gate. We demonstrate that the addition of a "filtering" biocatalytic process leads to a considerable reduction of the noise transmission factor and the resulting gate response has sigmoid shape in both inputs. The second system was developed for functioning as an AND gate, where the output signal was activated only by a simultaneous action of two enzymatic biomarkers. This response can be used as an indicator of liver damage, but only if both of these of the inputs are present at their elevated, pathophysiological values of concentrations. A kinetic numerical model was developed and used to estimate the range of parameters for which the experimentally realized logic gate is close to optimal. We also analyzed the system to evaluate its noise-handling properties.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2013

Realization of Associative Memory in an Enzymatic Process: Towards Biomolecular Networks with Learning and Unlearning Functionalities

We report a realization of an associative memory signal/information processing system based on simple enzyme-catalyzed biochemical reactions. Optically detected chemical output is always obtained in response to the triggering input, but the system can also "learn" by association, to later respond to the second input if it is initially applied in combination with the triggering input as the "training" step. This second chemical input is not self-reinforcing in the present system, which therefore can later "unlearn" to react to the second input if it is applied several times on its own. Such processing steps realized with (bio)chemical kinetics promise applications of bio-inspired/memory-involving components in "networked" (concatenated) biomolecular processes for multi-signal sensing and complex information processing.

q-bio.MN↗

arXiv2013

Enzyme-Based Logic Analysis of Biomarkers at Physiological Concentrations: AND Gate with Double-Sigmoid "Filter" Response

We report the first realization of a biomolecular AND gate function with double-sigmoid response (sigmoid in both inputs). Two enzyme biomarker inputs activate the gate output signal which can then be used as indicating liver injury, but only when both of these inputs have elevated pathophysiological concentrations, effectively corresponding to logic-1 of the binary gate functioning. At lower, normal physiological concentrations, defined as logic-0 inputs, the liver-injury output levels are not obtained. High-quality gate functioning in handling of various sources of noise, on time scales of relevance to potential applications is enabled by utilizing "filtering" effected by a simple added biocatalytic process. The resulting gate response is sigmoid in both inputs when proper system parameters are chosen, and the gate properties are theoretically analyzed within a model devised to evaluate its noise-handling properties.

q-bio.MN↗

arXiv2011

Biomolecular Filters for Improved Separation of Output Signals in Enzyme Logic Systems Applied to Biomedical Analysis

Biomolecular logic systems processing biochemical input signals and producing "digital" outputs in the form of YES/NO were developed for analysis of physiological conditions characteristic of liver injury, soft tissue injury and abdominal trauma. Injury biomarkers were used as input signals for activating the logic systems. Their normal physiological concentrations were defined as logic-0 level, while their pathologically elevated concentrations were defined as logic-1 values. Since the input concentrations applied as logic 0 and 1 values were not sufficiently different, the output signals being at low and high values (0, 1 outputs) were separated with a short gap making their discrimination difficult. Coupled enzymatic reactions functioning as a biomolecular signal processing system with a built-in filter property were developed. The filter process involves a partial back-conversion of the optical-output-signal-yielding product, but only at its low concentrations, thus allowing the proper discrimination between 0 and 1 output values.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2011

Realization and Properties of Biochemical-Computing Biocatalytic XOR Gate Based on Enzyme Inhibition by a Substrate

We consider a realization of the XOR logic gate in a process biocatalyzed by an enzyme (here horseradish peroxidase: HRP), the function of which can be inhibited by a substrate (hydrogen peroxide for HRP), when the latter is inputted at large enough concentrations. A model is developed for describing such systems in an approach suitable for evaluation of the analog noise amplification properties of the gate. The obtained data are fitted for gate quality evaluation within the developed model, and we discuss aspects of devising XOR gates for functioning in "biocomputing" systems utilizing biomolecules for information processing.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Enzymatic Logic Gates with Noise-Reducing Sigmoid Response

Biochemical computing is an emerging field of unconventional computing that attempts to process information with biomolecules and biological objects using digital logic. In this work we survey filtering in general, in biochemical computing, and summarize the experimental realization of an AND logic gate with sigmoid response in one of the inputs. The logic gate is realized with electrode-immobilized glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme that catalyzes a reaction corresponding to the Boolean AND functions. A kinetic model is also developed and used to evaluate the extent to which the performance of the experimentally realized logic gate is close to optimal.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Biochemical Filter with Sigmoidal Response: Increasing the Complexity of Biomolecular Logic

The first realization of a designed, rather than natural, biochemical filter process is reported and analyzed as a promising network component for increasing the complexity of biomolecular logic systems. Key challenge in biochemical logic research has been achieving scalability for complex network designs. Various logic gates have been realized, but a "toolbox" of analog elements for interconnectivity and signal processing has remained elusive. Filters are important as network elements that allow control of noise in signal transmission and conversion. We report a versatile biochemical filtering mechanism designed to have sigmoidal response in combination with signal-conversion process. Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of chromogenic electron donor by hydrogen peroxide, was altered by adding ascorbate, allowing to selectively suppress the output signal, modifying the response from convex to sigmoidal. A kinetic model was developed for evaluation of the quality of filtering. The results offer improved capabilities for design of scalable biomolecular information processing systems.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2010

Realization and Properties of Biochemical-Computing Biocatalytic XOR Gate Based on Signal Change

We consider a realization of the XOR logic gate in a system involving two competing biocatalytic reactions, for which the logic-1 output is defined by these two processes causing a change in the optically detected signal. A model is developed for describing such systems in an approach suitable for evaluation of the analog noise amplification properties of the gate and optimization of its functioning. The initial data are fitted for gate quality evaluation within the developed model, and then modifications are proposed and experimentally realized for improving the gate functioning.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Enzymatic AND Logic Gates Operated Under Conditions Characteristic of Biomedical Applications

Experimental and theoretical analyses of the lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase based enzymatic AND logic gates in which the enzymes and their substrates serve as logic inputs are performed. These two systems are examples of the novel, previously unexplored, class of biochemical logic gates that illustrate potential biomedical applications of biochemical logic. They are characterized by input concentrations at logic 0 and 1 states corresponding to normal and abnormal physiological conditions. Our analysis shows that the logic gates under investigation have similar noise characteristics. Both significantly amplify random noise present in inputs, however we establish that for realistic widths of the input noise distributions, it is still possible to differentiate between the logic 0 and 1 states of the output. This indicates that reliable detection of abnormal biomedical conditions is indeed possible with such enzyme-logic systems.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2009

Optimization of Enzymatic Logic Gates and Networks for Noise Reduction and Stability

Biochemical computing attempts to process information with biomolecules and biological objects. In this work we review our results on analysis and optimization of single biochemical logic gates based on enzymatic reactions, and a network of three gates, for reduction of the "analog" noise buildup. For a single gate, optimization is achieved by analyzing the enzymatic reactions within a framework of kinetic equations. We demonstrate that using co-substrates with much smaller affinities than the primary substrate, a negligible increase in the noise output from the logic gate is obtained as compared to the input noise. A network of enzymatic gates is analyzed by varying selective inputs and fitting standardized few-parameters response functions assumed for each gate. This allows probing of the individual gate quality but primarily yields information on the relative contribution of the gates to noise amplification. The derived information is then used to modify experimental single gate and network systems to operate them in a regime of reduced analog noise amplification.

q-bio.MN↗

arXiv2008

Network Analysis of Biochemical Logic for Noise Reduction and Stability: A System of Three Coupled Enzymatic AND Gates

We develop an approach aimed at optimizing the parameters of a network of biochemical logic gates for reduction of the "analog" noise buildup. Experiments for three coupled enzymatic AND gates are reported, illustrating our procedure. Specifically, starch - one of the controlled network inputs - is converted to maltose by beta-amylase. With the use of phosphate (another controlled input), maltose phosphorylase then produces glucose. Finally, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) - the third controlled input - is reduced under the action of glucose dehydrogenase to yield the optically detected signal. Network functioning is analyzed by varying selective inputs and fitting standardized few-parameters "response-surface" functions assumed for each gate. This allows a certain probe of the individual gate quality, but primarily yields information on the relative contribution of the gates to noise amplification. The derived information is then used to modify our experimental system to put it in a regime of a less noisy operation.

q-bio.MN↗