Information transfer from FRET-based nanonetworks to nerve cells

In this short paper, it is discussed how signals from FRET-based nanonetworks can be received in nerve cells, i.e. neurons. In this sense, a new interface allowing for communication between nanonetworks and human neural system (much larger in scale) is proposed. The paper is focused on two system components: fluorophores and channelrhodopsins which serve as transmitters and receivers, respectively. Channelrhodopsins are used here to convert FRET signals to electrical voltage which can propagate, as action potentials, through neurons on long distances. The trade-off between transmission rate and bit error rate is also investigated.