Physarum polycephalum-inspired adaptive optimization design of artificial microtubular networks

Abstract

Natural biological microtubular networks have undergone adaptive evolutionary selection and may offer viable solutions to design challenges in artificial microtubular networks. The plasmodium of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum (P. polycephalum) extends continuously to form a protoplasmic microtubular network structure, directly connecting food sources. Computational simulations revealed that the formation of this adaptive P. polycephalum microtubular network could be captured by a mathematical algorithm. Inspired by the P. polycephalum microtubular networks, we propose an adaptive optimization design method for artificial microtubular networks. Specifically, we utilized hydrogels with biodegradable and tissue-adhesive properties to replicate the P. polycephalum microtubular networks via photomask. In Rhodamine B diffusion and glucose-catalyzed reaction experiments, we found that the P. polycephalum microtubular networks exhibited significantly enhanced efficiency compared to vascular and artificial networks. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential for uric acid (UA) degradation of the hydrogels with a real P. polycephalum microtubular network loaded with urate oxidase (UOx) in a rodent model of hyperuricemia. And this network achieved more than double the effect of the artificial network. This underscores the potential of natural microtubular networks to replace artificial microtubular networks.