Embryogenic evolution emulates in silico cell-like entities to get more powerful methods for complex evolutionary tasks. As simulations have to abstract from the biological model, implicit information hidden in its physics is lost. Here, we propose to use cell-like entities as a real-world in vitro testbed. In analogy to evolutionary robotics, where solutions evolved in simulations may be tested in real-world on macroscale, the proposed vesicular testbed would do the same for the embryogenic evolutionary tasks on mesoscale. As a first step towards a vesicular testbed emulating growth, cell division, and cell differentiation, we present a modified vesicle production method, providing custom tailored chemical cargo, and present a novel self-assembly procedure to provide vesicle aggregates of programmable composition. Vesicular Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems – How to Connect Wet and Soft Artificial Life. The Fourth Australian Conference on Artificial Life (ACAL09), Melbourne, Australia (1-4 December 2009), 20 minutes oral presentation.

1. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
«
Living Technology = Engineering living from non-living by...
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic
Evolutionary Systems
pp. 169-178
… exploiting life’s principles in technology.
»
Bedau MA, McCaskill JS, Packard NH, and Rasmussen S Living Technology: Exploiting Life's Principles in
Technology. Artificial Life in press (doi:10.1162/artl.2009.16.1.16103).
Vesicular Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems
–
How to Connect Wet and Soft Artificial Life
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

2. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
ASIMO
www.flickr.com
Background:
Traditional Engineering Methods =
masterpieces of human design
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

3. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Background:
HYDRA =
‘living’ building blocks for self-designing artefacts
Despite their well-known advantages, traditional engineering methods
are inflexible and unreliable when compared to biological organisms.
The experts behind the HYDRA project, therefore, are contemplating
a novel architecture for the development of artefacts inspired by cell-
biology and based on simple building blocks. The potential of the new
design standard will be exemplified through the construction of
robotic systems that can change morphology, and result in flexible,
robust and applicable artefacts far beyond any known conventional
engineering perspective.
HYDRA, IST-2001-33060, 2001–2004.
«
»
http://hydra.mip.sdu.dk/home.html
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

4. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
http://hydra.mip.sdu.dk/home.html
Background:
Modular Robotics =
getting inspired by nature
Ability to reconfigure
Robustness
Adaptivity
Ability of self-repair
Lower production costs
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

5. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
http://hydra.mip.sdu.dk/home.html
Background:
Modular Robotics Meets Traditional Engineering =
struggle with technical problems
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

6. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
http://video.google.ch/videoplay?docid=-5865891654546717645&hl=de#
Background:
Soft Is Smart =
exploiting material properties
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

7. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Dumais J (2007). Can mechanics control pattern formation in plants? Current Opinion in Plant Biology 10(1):58-
62.
Background:
Soft Is Smart =
exploiting material properties
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

8. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
James Estrin/The New York Times
Background:
Soft Is Smart =
exploiting material properties
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

9. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
[Dr. Walker of Clemson] cautioned that soft is hard and that the road
ahead could be far longer and more difficult than it seems today for
the Tufts researchers [because] “it’s very hard to engineer with all-
soft components. We had to make compromises along the way”.
«
»
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/science/27r
obo.html?pagewanted=2&_r=3&ei=5070&en=9
1395fe7439a5b72&ex=1177128000
Background:
“Soft Is Hard” (Dr. Walker) =
struggle with nasty little technical problems
There [are] other challenges.
Designing computer programs
to operate the arm was
something “we thought we
would spend six months
working out,” he recalled. “Two
or three Ph.D. theses later, we
finally understood the problem.
Not that we had solved the
problem. We understood the
problem.”
http://www.ces.clemson.edu/~ianw/
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

10. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Eggenberger Hotz P, 2004. Artificial Life
IX.
Eggenberger Hotz P, 2003. in On Growth, Form and Computers.
Eggenberger Hotz P, 2004. CEC 2004.
Background:
Keep It Simple =
control inspired by nature
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

11. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Background:
Vesicles =
the C of the CMP-model (Compartment, Metabolism, Program)
Hadorn M, Burla B, and Eggenberger Hotz P (2009). Towards Tailored Communication Networks in Assemblies of
Artificial Cells. 4th Australian Conference on Artificial Life.
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

12. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Hadorn M and Eggenberger Hotz P (2010). Towards
Personalized Drug Delivery: Preparation of an Encapsulated
Multicompartment System. Valencia, Spain, Jan 20-23, 2010.
Result:
Multiple Addresses =
self-assembled MCCNs of defined architecture
α‘ / γ
α / β β‘ / γ‘
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

13. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Discussion:
Bring in the Genes =
bring in the M and P of the CMP-model (Compartment, Metabolism,
Program)
Noireaux V and Libchaber A (2004). A vesicle bioreactor as a step toward an artificial cell assembly. Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101(51):17669-17674.
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems

14. M. Hadorn / P. Eggenberger
University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Southern Denmark, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
Why vesicles
Multivesicular aggregates could:
• serve as models for biological tissue
• lead to new methods for processing
artificial tissues / ‘soft’ composite
materials
• be used as bioreactors
Why multivesicular aggregates
ACAL’09, 03-Dec-09
Acknowledgments
Enrico Martinoia
Prof.
Institute of Plant Biology
University of Zurich
Bo Burla
Doctoral Student
Institute of Plant Biology
University of Zurich
Peter Eggenberger Hotz
Associated Professor
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute
University of Southern Denmark
Rolf Pfeifer
Prof.
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Zurich
Eva Bönzli
Doctoral Student
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Zurich
SNF-Project EES
200020-118127
EU_Project PACE
EU-IST-FP6-FET-002035
Multivesicular Assemblies as Real-world Testbeds for Embryogenic Evolutionary Systems