As a result of recent advances in MEMS/NEMS and systems biology, as well as the emergence of synthetic bacteria and lab/process-on-a-chip techniques, it is now possible to design chemical “circuits”, custom organisms, micro/nanoscale swarms of devices, and a host of other new systems at small length scales, and across multiple scales (e.g., micro to macro). This success opens up a new frontier for interdisciplinary signaling techniques using chemistry, biology, novel electron transfer, and other principles not previously examined.

This journal is devoted to the principles, design, and analysis of signaling and information systems that use physics beyond conventional electromagnetism, particularly for small-scale and multi-scale applications. This includes: molecular, quantum, and other physical, chemical and biological (and biologically-inspired) techniques; as well as new signaling techniques at these scales.

As the boundaries between communication, sensing and control are blurred in these novel signaling systems, research contributions in a variety of areas are invited. Original research articles on one or more of the following topics are within the scope of the journal: mathematical modeling, information/communication-theoretic or network-theoretic analysis, networking, implementations and laboratory experiments, systems biology, data-starved or data-rich statistical analyses of biological systems, industrial applications, biological circuits, biosystems analysis and control, information/communication theory for analysis of biological systems, unconventional electromagnetism for small or multi-scale applications, and experiment-based studies on information processes or networks in biology. Contributions on related topics would also be considered for publication.

Special Issue on Understanding Communicable Diseases through the Lens of Molecular Communications
Submission Date: 2024-08-31

The world is facing the challenges from and burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; however, the developing nations of the world are more exposed to communicable diseases due to socio-economic reasons. The significant size of population in developing nation is affected by tuberculosis (TB), malaria, HIV, and other non-tropical diseases. The recent pandemic of Covid-19 is an example of how the severity of communicable diseases can affect the social, political, and economical infrastructure of the entire world.

Many of the communicable diseases like Covid-19 have an underlying inflammation process as a common denominator in the initial steps of their development. Thus, increasing the knowledge on this process is strategic to counteract the progress of the disease. The modelling of cellular mechanisms that involve the response of the immune system and the endothelium (which always plays a pivotal role in the development of inflammations) is an important aspect of the studies of the communicable diseases. The use of the new modeling tools made available by the new research field of molecular communications, bridging information and communications technology with medicine, pharmacology, and biology, are leading to the definition of new cellular communications model capable of capturing these interactions and thus offering a better understanding of the overall functioning of these mechanisms.

The growing area of molecular communication can play an interesting role in the better understanding of the communicable diseases and can lead to newer insights about these diseases. The molecular communication oriented development of analytical and simulation tools, statistical models, machine learning based algorithms and implementation of low-cost testing solution may lead to a healthier world and can contribute to United Nations sustainable development goals. This Special Issue titled “Understanding Communicable Diseases through the Lens of Molecular Communications” aims the researchers from diverse backgrounds ranging from communications technology, medicines, pharmacology, and biology come together and to contribute to the better understanding of communicable diseases. We specifically target the developing nations which unfortunately have conducive environments (like large population and poverty) for the spread of these diseases. In more detail, we are interested in contributions aiming at exploring the (eventual) connections of the spread of communicable diseases with hygienic and health conditions, quality and availability of food, water, and drugs, and exposure/proximity to waste depots. However, the CfP does not seek contributions able to model these connections at the macro-scale, but insight on how these factors may impact on the molecular communications phenomena underling the diffusion of communicable diseases.

To this end, we invite submissions on the following topics (but are not limited to):

 - Modelling of cellular interactions for communicable diseases.
 - Algorithms for molecular signal acquisition, detection, and processing.
 - Trafficking and/or triggering of cellular pathways in communicable disease.
 - Machine learning and artificial intelligence-based models for communicable diseases.
 - Data driven statistical modelling of spread, treatment, and long-term effects of the diseases.
 - Analysis of cellular mechanisms highlighting the connections between living conditions in developing countries and widespread of communicable diseases. Emerging technologies for infection therapy and diagnostics, eventually highlighting potential opportunities available only in developing countries. Sensing methods and sensor design for communicable diseases, eventually highlighting potential opportunities available only in developing countries.
 - Novel approaches to build datasets in the molecular communications field for investigating connections between living conditions in developing countries and spread of communicable disease.
 - Hardware implementation, prototypes development for detection of communicable diseases.

Special Issue on Microphysiological Systems to Study and Experiment Bio-molecular Communications and Computing
Submission Date: 2024-09-15

This Special Issue (SI) focuses on microphysiological systems that can be used to characterize, study and experiment natural bio-communications, as well as artificial molecular communication and computing. Microphysiological systems are infrastructure that interconnects a sequence of organs-on-chips or in vitro constructs to enable deep understandings of two- or three-dimensional cellular models. Such systems can facilitate deep understandings of molecular communications not only within homogeneous tissues, but also between different organs. The SI aims to attract submissions on the use of microphysiological system to understand molecular communication, as well as new technologies that can be integrated into microphysiological system to sense communication molecules. 

We wish to investigate using microphysiological systems that can be used for studying biological intelligence. The concept revolves around using in vitro models to extract natural computing functions and one example is organoid intelligence. This can be used for natural cell models or engineered synthetic systems that lead to new forms of biological computations. This can result in new understanding of how synthetic biology used to engineer biological communications, can lead to new insights for biological intelligence, which can lead to new discoveries for the field of Artificial Intelligence. The SI is also open to using microphysiological systems to understand the underlying principles that control life based on cell communication. The knowledge gained from works on this SI has the potential to lead to revolutionary advancements in a variety of fields, including medicine, environmental science, and information technology. 

To this end, we invite submissions on the following topics (but are not limited to):

    Using microphysiological systems to understand natural and engineered bio-molecular communications
    Advanced design and new technologies for microphysiological systems 
    Integration of AI and machine learning tools with microphysiological system for bio-molecular communications and computing analysis
    Organoid and biological intelligence
    Novel applications and paradigms in biological AI
    AI in imaging and molecular data analysis of bio-molecular communications
    Ethical and safety considerations of using microphysiological systems for studying bio-molecular communications

Submission Guidelines

Prospective authors should submit their manuscripts following the IEEE TMBMC guidelines. Authors should submit a manuscript through Manuscript Central.

Important Dates

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 15 September 2024
First Notification: 1 November 2024
Acceptance Notification: 15 January 2024
Final Manuscript Due: 15 February 2024
Publication Date: March 2025

Guest Editors

Michael Barros (Lead Editor)
University of Essex, UK                        

Reinhold Scherer
University of Essex, UK 

Jari Hyttinen
Tampere University, Finland 

Gabriella Panuccio
Italian Institute of Technology, Italy 

Special Issue on Feedback Control in Multicellular Molecular Communication Systems
Submission Date: 2024-11-15

The advancement of synthetic biology has enabled the construction of intricate biomolecular circuits spanning multiple layers, from the level of genes to cells, tissues and organs facilitated by molecular-based communication at the cellular population level. The multilayer control and communication of biocircuits have opened the opportunity to harness the collective power of individual molecular components and elevate them into sophisticated dynamical systems capable of orchestrating complex behaviors, such as pattern formation, spatial organization, and collective decision-making.

The field of control engineering is increasingly important in advancing the rational design of even more sophisticated dynamic molecular communication (MC) systems. In particular, control theory can provide valuable insights for the design of regulatory mechanisms achieving stable and robust coordination of MC systems.

The aim of this Special Issue is to facilitate the interaction of researchers from the MC and the control community. The Special Issue focuses on control aspects of multicellular MC systems, ranging from fundamental theory to experimental applications. We invite submissions on the following topics (but are not limited to):

    Fundamental control and communication theory for multi-cellular control systems
    Modeling of reaction, diffusion and signal propagation kinetics at the level of cell populations, tissues and organs
    Analysis methods of spatio-temporal kinetics at the level of cell populations, tissues and organs
    Design of molecular feedback controller for multi-cellular control systems
    Computational toolkits for analyzing and optimizing multi-cellular control systems
    Multi-cellular control systems using Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT)
    Engineering multi-cellular control systems using synthetic biology
    Experimental testbeds for actuating and measuring multicellular control systems
    Experimental verification of design/control strategies of multi-cellular control systems

Submission Guidelines

Prospective authors should submit their manuscripts following the IEEE TMBMC guidelines. Authors should submit a manuscript through Manuscript Central. 

Important Dates

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 15 November 2024
First Notification: 15 February 2025
Acceptance Notification: 31 April 2025
Final Manuscript Due: 15 June 2025
Publication Date: June 2025

Accepted papers will be published Early Access on IEEE Xplore immediately after acceptance, and then included in the Special Issue planned for June 2025.

Guest Editors

Yutaka Hori (Lead Guest Editor)
Keio University, Japan

Giulia Giordano
University of Trento, Italy

Christopher Rose
Brown University, USA

Ken Duffy
Northeastern University, USA