Tutorial

DNA-based Nanonetworks for the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT)

Date: September 16, 2026

The Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) extends networked sensing, computing, and communication into biological and molecular environments. Instead of relying only on electronic devices and radio-frequency communication, IoBNT systems may employ biocompatible nanodevices that sense, process, communicate, and act directly inside living organisms. DNA-based nanonetworks are a particularly promising approach because DNA can serve as an information carrier, programmable construction material, molecular recognition mechanism, and computational substrate at the same time. This tutorial provides a compact but technically grounded introduction to DNA-based nanonetworks for IoBNT. It introduces the IoBNT vision and its relevance for embedded networked systems, in-body sensing, and biomedical cyber-physical systems; then it covers molecular communication, DNA tiles, programmable self-assembly, in-message computation, molecular event detection, and gateway concepts. A major part of the tutorial is practical: after the theoretical introduction, participants will use ComTiler to derive a DNA tile set from a Boolean function and then explore the resulting self-assembly behavior with the NetTAS simulator. It targets participants from embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, IoT, cyber-physical systems, and biomedical engineering who want to understand how networking concepts change at molecular scale.

Requirements for Attendees

The tutorial is intended for participants with a background in computer science, embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, IoT, cyber-physical systems, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or related fields. Basic familiarity with networking concepts is helpful. Prior knowledge of molecular biology, DNA nanotechnology, or wet-lab methods is not required; the necessary biological and chemical concepts will be introduced at a systems level. Participants should bring a notebook for the practical part; the hands-on session uses standard laptops and browser-based or lightweight tools.

Organizers

Prof. Dr. Stefan Fischer, University of Lübeck

Prof. Dr. Stefan Fischer is a full professor of Computer Science at the University of Lübeck, Germany, and Director of the Institute of Telematics. He received his diploma degree in Information Systems and his doctoral degree in Computer Science from the University of Mannheim in 1992 and 1996, respectively. After a postdoctoral stay at the University of Montreal, Canada, he held positions at the International University in Germany and at the Technical University of Braunschweig before joining the University of Lübeck in 2004. His research interests include computer networks, distributed systems, ad hoc and sensor networks, the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, molecular communication, and DNA-based nanonetworks. He has authored or co-authored more than 200 scientific books and articles and has extensive teaching and tutorial experience.

Sarah Scheer, University of Lübeck

Sarah Scheer is a Ph.D. student at the University of Lübeck, Germany, and joined the Nano Group in Lübeck in 2024. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction in 2020, followed by a Master’s degree in 2022. Her research interests include DNA-based nanonetworks, the simulation of molecular communication systems, and the design and evaluation of bio-nano communication mechanisms. Within the tutorial, she will contribute particularly to the sections on DNA-based nanonetworks, simulation, and molecular communication.