Calendar
Zvaná přednáška "Something has to give - Computation with biological agents“
Wednesday, 27 November, 10:00 » 11:00
Site event
ABSTRACT
Many important mathematical problems, ranging from cryptography, network routing, and protein folding, require the exploration a large number of candidate solutions. Because the time required for solving these problems grows exponentially with their size, electronic computers, which operate sequentially, cannot solve them in a reasonable timeframe. Unfortunately, the parallel-computation approaches proposed so far, e.g., DNA-, and quantum-computing suffer from fundamental and practical drawbacks, which prevented their successful implementation. On the other hand, biological entities, from microorganisms to humans, process information in parallel, routinely, for essential tasks, such as foraging, searching for available space, competition, and cooperation. However, aside of their sheer complexity, parallel biological processes are difficult to harness for artificial parallel computation because of a fundamental difference: biological entities process analog information, e.g., concentration gradients, whereas computing devices require the digital processing of numbers. This subtle, but important difference between artificial and biological computation, together with the opportunity to operate biocomputation with large numbers of (small) biological agents, opens three possible avenues for development.
Biological IT. The first opportunity relies on the study of the natural procedures used by biological agents, e.g., for space search and partitioning, chemotaxis, etc., followed by the translation of these procedures in abstract mathematical algorithms. These bioinspired algorithms can be then benchmarked against standard analogues used for similar tasks, and, if appropriate, improved and implemented. Along this development avenue, which is conceptually similar to other biomimetics efforts, such as biomimetic materials, we have shown that fungi used exquisitely efficient algorithms for search for available space; and that the chemotaxis procedures used by bacteria can be used to find edges of geometrical patterns.
Biosimulation. The second opportunity relies on the capacity of using large numbers of biological agents to explore complex networks which mimic real traffic situations. This line of development has been almost entirely dedicated to the study of network optimization performed by amoeboid organisms, e.g., Physarum, placed in geometrically confined environments which also contain chemotactic ‘cues’, e.g., larger concentrations of nutrients in set coordinates. This physical simulation of traffic networks resulted in many studies assessing the optimality of real traffic networks in many countries.
Biocomputation with biological agents in networks. Finally, the third, and arguably the most exciting development consists in the use of very large number of agents exploring purposefully-designed microfluidics networks. For instance, we reported the foundations of a parallel-computation system in which a given combinatorial problem is encoded into a graphical, modular network that is embedded in a nanofabricated planar device. Exploring the network in a parallel fashion using a large number of independent, agents, e.g., molecular motor-propelled agents, then solves the mathematical problem. This approach uses orders of magnitude less energy than conventional computers, thus addressing issues related to power consumption and heat dissipation.
The lecture will conclude with a perspective on the computation and simulation using biological entities in microfluidics structures, weighing the opportunities and challenges offered by various technological avenues.
Many important mathematical problems, ranging from cryptography, network routing, and protein folding, require the exploration a large number of candidate solutions. Because the time required for solving these problems grows exponentially with their size, electronic computers, which operate sequentially, cannot solve them in a reasonable timeframe. Unfortunately, the parallel-computation approaches proposed so far, e.g., DNA-, and quantum-computing suffer from fundamental and practical drawbacks, which prevented their successful implementation. On the other hand, biological entities, from microorganisms to humans, process information in parallel, routinely, for essential tasks, such as foraging, searching for available space, competition, and cooperation. However, aside of their sheer complexity, parallel biological processes are difficult to harness for artificial parallel computation because of a fundamental difference: biological entities process analog information, e.g., concentration gradients, whereas computing devices require the digital processing of numbers. This subtle, but important difference between artificial and biological computation, together with the opportunity to operate biocomputation with large numbers of (small) biological agents, opens three possible avenues for development.
Biological IT. The first opportunity relies on the study of the natural procedures used by biological agents, e.g., for space search and partitioning, chemotaxis, etc., followed by the translation of these procedures in abstract mathematical algorithms. These bioinspired algorithms can be then benchmarked against standard analogues used for similar tasks, and, if appropriate, improved and implemented. Along this development avenue, which is conceptually similar to other biomimetics efforts, such as biomimetic materials, we have shown that fungi used exquisitely efficient algorithms for search for available space; and that the chemotaxis procedures used by bacteria can be used to find edges of geometrical patterns.
Biosimulation. The second opportunity relies on the capacity of using large numbers of biological agents to explore complex networks which mimic real traffic situations. This line of development has been almost entirely dedicated to the study of network optimization performed by amoeboid organisms, e.g., Physarum, placed in geometrically confined environments which also contain chemotactic ‘cues’, e.g., larger concentrations of nutrients in set coordinates. This physical simulation of traffic networks resulted in many studies assessing the optimality of real traffic networks in many countries.
Biocomputation with biological agents in networks. Finally, the third, and arguably the most exciting development consists in the use of very large number of agents exploring purposefully-designed microfluidics networks. For instance, we reported the foundations of a parallel-computation system in which a given combinatorial problem is encoded into a graphical, modular network that is embedded in a nanofabricated planar device. Exploring the network in a parallel fashion using a large number of independent, agents, e.g., molecular motor-propelled agents, then solves the mathematical problem. This approach uses orders of magnitude less energy than conventional computers, thus addressing issues related to power consumption and heat dissipation.
The lecture will conclude with a perspective on the computation and simulation using biological entities in microfluidics structures, weighing the opportunities and challenges offered by various technological avenues.
Uhelna
Seminář pro doktorandy: Jak na podávání projektů (IGA)
Wednesday, 27 November, 13:00 » 17:00
Site event
PhD office pořádá další seminář pro doktorandy! Nevíte, jak se správně píše projekt? Co by měl obsahovat? Jak se zorientovat ve všech dokumentech? Či jak správně podat grant IGA? Náš skurz vám pomůže! Seminář bude probíhat v angličtině- Popis níže.
Are you preparing to submit your first project proposal but unsure where to begin? This workshop is specifically designed for doctoral students and early-stage researchers like you. We’ll equip you with the skills to transform your research ideas into a competitive proposal, while avoiding common mistakes.
One of the biggest challenges is to understand all the documents related to call for proposals. These documents contain critical details that shape your project; yet they are often overlooked. We’ll show you how to navigate and use them, ensuring your proposal meets the expectations of evaluators.
What you’ll gain:
Learn to craft a clear, structured project proposal from your research ideaUnderstand the key documents of the call and how they define project boundariesMaster essential project management concepts to strengthen your proposalDiscover the key differences between research papers and proposalsHands-on practice applying structured project management thinking to your research ideaWhen? 27.11.2024
Where? B2319 (Zikova, Building B, 1st floor)
The seminar will be in English.
Programme:13:00-13:30 – Project proposal vs project: What’s the difference?13:30-14:30 – Understanding call documents: Why they matter and how they shape your project14:30-14:45 – Break14:45-16:00 – Key project management concepts for successful proposal writing16:00-16:30 – Research papers vs project proposals: Dos and Don’ts16:30-17:00 – Hands-on practice: Applying project management thinking
By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle your first proposal with confidence, fully aware of the requirements and prepared to meet them. Don’t miss this chance to improve your competitiveness. Register now!
Your lecturer will be Radka Pittnerova, expert with more than twenty years of experience with research projects, project management and international research collaboration.
In case of questions, feel free to contact PhD Support Mili Losmanová: losmanom@vscht.cz
Sign in here: Seminář pro doktorandy: Jak na podávání projektů (IGA)/ Seminar for PhDs: Master Your First Project Proposal (IGA) - Semináře - Oddělení VaV - VŠCHT Praha
Are you preparing to submit your first project proposal but unsure where to begin? This workshop is specifically designed for doctoral students and early-stage researchers like you. We’ll equip you with the skills to transform your research ideas into a competitive proposal, while avoiding common mistakes.
One of the biggest challenges is to understand all the documents related to call for proposals. These documents contain critical details that shape your project; yet they are often overlooked. We’ll show you how to navigate and use them, ensuring your proposal meets the expectations of evaluators.
What you’ll gain:
Learn to craft a clear, structured project proposal from your research ideaUnderstand the key documents of the call and how they define project boundariesMaster essential project management concepts to strengthen your proposalDiscover the key differences between research papers and proposalsHands-on practice applying structured project management thinking to your research ideaWhen? 27.11.2024
Where? B2319 (Zikova, Building B, 1st floor)
The seminar will be in English.
Programme:13:00-13:30 – Project proposal vs project: What’s the difference?13:30-14:30 – Understanding call documents: Why they matter and how they shape your project14:30-14:45 – Break14:45-16:00 – Key project management concepts for successful proposal writing16:00-16:30 – Research papers vs project proposals: Dos and Don’ts16:30-17:00 – Hands-on practice: Applying project management thinking
By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle your first proposal with confidence, fully aware of the requirements and prepared to meet them. Don’t miss this chance to improve your competitiveness. Register now!
Your lecturer will be Radka Pittnerova, expert with more than twenty years of experience with research projects, project management and international research collaboration.
In case of questions, feel free to contact PhD Support Mili Losmanová: losmanom@vscht.cz
Sign in here: Seminář pro doktorandy: Jak na podávání projektů (IGA)/ Seminar for PhDs: Master Your First Project Proposal (IGA) - Semináře - Oddělení VaV - VŠCHT Praha
B2319
4. kolo Pražské univerzitní volejbalové ligy - ženy
POTLACH
Wednesday, 27 November, 17:00 » 22:00
Site event
Hudební session "táborákové" hraní POTLACH pro studenty i zaměstnance! Více ZDE.
Spojujeme lidi s láskou k hudbě a přírodě. Hrajeme tak, jak kdo umí a na co kdo chce. Někdo hraje zpatra, má noty, někdo taby, někdo zpěvník, někdo jen poslouchá. Scházíme se obvykle v různém složení i počtu.
Spojujeme lidi s láskou k hudbě a přírodě. Hrajeme tak, jak kdo umí a na co kdo chce. Někdo hraje zpatra, má noty, někdo taby, někdo zpěvník, někdo jen poslouchá. Scházíme se obvykle v různém složení i počtu.
Uhelna