Exploring solutions to the sensing and actuation limitations within cybergenetics
File(s)
Author(s)
Smart, Benjamin
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Cybergenetics is an advancing field that seeks to implement control theory within biological systems through computer-interfaced controllers and embedded living controllers. Currently, this field has limited in vivo applications due to the sensing and actuation limitations of computer-interfaced controllers and the complexity and design limitations of embedded control. Here, we demonstrate the benefits of using adaptive models within computer-based controllers before developing a novel, adapted filter that alleviates low sampling rate limitations. Following this, all external sensor and actuator limits are removed by designing novel embedded controllers that can implement nonlinear optimisation within the cell, with no external input or reference. This work facilitates the jump from in vitro simulations to human-scale in vivo implementation and enables the application of cybergenetics to a broader range of systems.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-10-02
Date Awarded
2026-06-01
Copyright Statement
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC)
License URL
Advisor
Renson, Ludovic
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant Number
EP/T51780X/1
Publisher Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)