Engineering Biology Problems Book (2021, Obninsk Edition)

high-intensity gradient seems to be a less invasive technology. The use of photosensitive proteins (not
necessarily membrane proteins) can enhance the sensitivity of cells to visible light.
[55. Deisseroth, K. (2011). Optogenetics. Nature methods, 8(1), 26].
2.41 Microbe voodoo. Neuroregulation of the functions of somatic tissues through the stimulation of
peripheral nerves isn’t limited to the internal organs and systems of a person. The intestinal microflora
produces a sufficient amount of serotonin and cytokines by exchanging signals with the nervous
system. Suggest a feedback mechanism that would theoretically overcome coccal infection with the
“power of thought! by stimulating a specific metabolic cascade.
SOLUTION:
The problem lies in the density of the peripheral nervous system, and its capacity for the transmission
of such a diverse repertoire of signals. In the intestinal wall, this problem is partially addressed by the
physical proximity of the nerves to the lumen. Stimulation of the innate immune system is an
energy-consuming method from the point of view of cellular physiology, therefore, it would be
necessary to assume the need to engineer specific signal transmission mechanisms, or use specific
humoral regulation.
2.42 Sleep, my little prince, fall asleep. The functions of the waking brain, the implementation of its
cognitive capabilities, and the efficiency of human activity depend on the quantity and quality of sleep
every night. Sleep disorders are a fairly common problem. Frequent complaints of poor sleep are
reported by 8-15% of the adult population of the world, and 9-11% use various sleeping pills.
Research on the use of pharmacological drugs to improve sleep quality indicates that long-term use of
such drugs can lead to addiction or severe side effects. Suggest some new non-pharmacological forms
of therapy for sleep and cognitive disorders that enhance the natural restorative functions of sleep.
© Problems from the final stage of the student BioTournament-2017. www.bioturnir21.ru. The
problem was proposed by Dr. Dorokhov Vladimir Borisovich, the Vice-President of the Russian
Society of Somnologists of the Pavlov Russian Physiological Society, at the Institute of Higher
Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology RAS, Moscow.
SOLUTION:
One of the options for non-invasive therapy for sleep disorders can be the use of transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS). Despite numerous positive examples of the use of magnetic effects [56], the
detailed mechanisms of TMS action on the most complex "electromagnetic organ" - the human brain,
remain unexplored.
[56. George M. S. et al. Daily repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves mood in
depression. // Neuroreport : 1995. — Vol. 6, no. 14. — P. 1853—1856].
2.43 Mitochondrial Medicine. Human diseases can be associated not only with disorders of organs
and tissues of the body but also with cellular organelles such as mitochondria. Suggest some
mitochondrial treatment options for a patient suffering from faulty mitochondria.
SOLUTION:
To solve this problem, we recommend using ideas from [57].
[57. Rahman, J., & Rahman, S. (2018). Mitochondrial medicine in the omics era. The Lancet. doi:
10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30727-X]
2.44 Tricorder. The notion of a tricorder, a medical handheld device that can remotely scan a person's
body to determine their health status and detect the presence of certain diseases, has been popularised
in the Star Trek science fiction films. Suggest the physical principles on which this technical solution
could be based.
SOLUTION:
Possible technologies that can be used in such a "tricorder" include:
- Raman spectroscopy to determine minimal concentrations of an analyte by detecting giant Raman
light scattering in the desired range;