Professor Stefan Fischer introduces the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (loBNT) which has transformative applications in domains such as: military technology, healthcare, and nano-medicine.

It consists of artificial or natural tiny devices, called Bio-Nano Things (BNTs), that can be injected into the human body to carry out specific tasks (e.g., sensing and actuating).

The human body will be connected to the Internet via a bio-cyber interface. This is our connected today, and future, with the Internet of Bodies.

The Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) is an innovative field of research located at the intersection of nanotechnology, biotechnology and information and communication technologies. It aims to enable the seamless integration of biological and nanoscale systems into the Internet in order to develop advanced biomedical applications, environmental monitoring sensors and energy-efficient networks. At the core of IoBNT are biocompatible nanodevices that can function in living organisms to monitor or modify specific biological processes in real time. These devices communicate with each other and with the Internet to collect, process and transmit data, opening up entirely new possibilities for health monitoring, disease control, environmental protection and many other areas. By merging biology and nanotechnology, IoBNT promises to push the boundaries of what is technically possible while improving the efficiency and sustainability of technological solutions.

DNA-based nanonetworks are a promising concept and implementation technology for the IoBNT. In this approach DNA is manipulated to form structures known as tiles, which self-assemble to much more complex structures such as nano devices and even full nano networks which function autonomously. Such networks communicate through molecular messages which are, in the very same way, also made of tiles. Such messages are even able to perform computations which can be used for disease detection and treatment.