Microfabricated structure for nonlinear dynamics observation of cell network

Cell networks composed of nonlinear elements are often found in biological systems. From the point of view of nonlinear dynamics, it is important to investigate such systems under the conditions that the various parameters such as the strength of interaction between cells can be artificially controlled. In this study, we have applied MEMS technology to a simple structured cell network, the true slime mold, Physarum polycephalum. We have fabricated a well array, named “Microfabricated Well Array (MWA)”, to control the strength of the interaction. It is shown that the behavior of the true slime mold can be successfully observed for further studies of nonlinear dynamics