Reverse-Engineering Nature’s Robots

Seattle Discovery Series members are abuzz over Dr. Tom Daniel’s presentation on the study of neural systems and flight control in insects.

“No better robots exist on the planet than natural ones,” observed Dr. Tom Daniel, Professor and Joan & Richard Komen Endowed Chair in Biology at the University of Washington at the February 9th breakfast of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series. Dr. Daniel was explaining why the study of motion in biology, from the cellular level right on up to the whole animal, is such an important and interesting field. Dr. Daniel, whose research focuses on motion control in insects such as hawk moths, pointed out how the study of motion provides clues to how neuro-muscular systems work, and that to understand many diseases requires an understanding of movement. He then examined the potential applications – and implications – of his research and the important innovations that could emerge from the study of motion in biology.

Did you know...?

• The study of motion in biology is giving rise to new disciplines and technologies, such as neuro-prosthetics and more stable robots modeled on natural movement.
• Researchers have created a neurochip that can both record and stimulate flight movement in insects. They continue to work on ways to power the device biologically, instead of through conventional power sources.
• A tiny structure called the Johnston's organ, just above a moth's head at the base of the antenna, contains mechanosensors that allow the organ to function like a gyroscope.

The discovery of the hawk moth's gyrosopic function of its antennae was recently published in the February 9th edition of Science magazine.

The PODCAST of Dr. Daniel’s presentation is available on the Technology Alliance web site.

Science & Technology Discovery Series is sponsored by:
AH&T, Perkins Coie, and Swedish Medical Center.