What Is a DNA Computer?

A DNA computer is a biological form of computer. It is a complete form of information technology established by using DNA (DNA). It uses coded DNA sequences (usually computer memory) as the object of operation and solves complex mathematical problems through the operation of molecular biology.

DNA computer

A DNA computer is a biological form of computer. It is using DNA (

With tradition

The history of machine computing can be traced back to 1641, when the 18-year-old French mathematician Pascal successfully manufactured a gear-driven eight-digit addition computer. This has brought human computing methods and computing technology to a new stage. After hundreds of years of hard work, the world's first electronic computer was successfully developed in 1946 (ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer). Since then, humans have entered a new era of computing technology.

From the earliest Pascal gears to today's most advanced electronic computers, their calculation methods are all physical sign transformations, specifically composed of the basic actions of "addition" and "subtraction". However, the current DNA computing has changed substantially. Computation is no longer a symbolic transformation of physical properties, but a symbolic transformation of chemical properties, that is, it is no longer a physical operation of "addition" and "subtraction", but a chemical property of cutting and pasting, insertion, and deletion. This revolution in computing is unprecedented. It has epoch-making significance.

We know that the DNA molecule is a long double-stranded chain, covered with "pearl" or nucleotides, and has four kinds of bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine. (C) and thymine (T). DNA molecules can express a great deal of information possessed by various cells of a born object through the different arrangement of these nucleotides. Inspired by mathematicians, biologists, chemists, and computer experts. They take advantage of the ability of DNA to encode information, first synthesize DNA molecules with specific sequences so that they represent the problem to be solved, and then use biological enzymes (equivalent to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division operations) to make them react with each other to form various combinations , And finally, the coded molecular sequence obtained by filtering out incorrect combinations is the correct answer.

In October 2011, the United Kingdom developed a biological logic gate using bacteria

This is the most advanced "biological circuit" ever. The biologic logic gates are modular, and they can be installed together, paving the way for more complex bioprocessors in the future.

September 2011, United States, destroying cancer cells with biocomputer

This kind of biological computer can enter human cells. Logical combination analysis of five tumor-specific molecules identified specific cancer cells, which triggered the destruction of cancer cells. This result lays the foundation for the development of specific anti-cancer therapies.

July 2011, Israel, using biocomputers to detect many different types of molecules

This kind of biocomputer can automatically detect many different types of molecules at the same time, and can be used to diagnose diseases, control drug release, and realize integration of diagnosis and treatment.

In 2009, the United States developed a bacterial computer using E. coli

This bacterial computer can solve complex mathematical problems. And it's much faster than any silicon-based computer.

2007, U.S.A., using RNA computer to implement RNA interference mechanism

This DNA computer can perform basic logic work and can be applied to artificially cultured kidney cells. Scientists introduced single siRNA molecules from other species into the cell, and the DNA computer turned off the target gene that compiles a certain fluorescent protein.

In 2006, the United States, using a DNA computer to quickly and accurately diagnose avian influenza virus

This DNA computer can detect West Nile and avian influenza viruses, among other diseases, faster and more accurately.

In 2005, Israel used a DNA computer to run 1 billion programs designed by DNA software molecules

This DNA computer uses a new solution processing technology and other technologies. It can run 1 billion programs designed with DNA software molecules, and has the potential to detect abnormal messenger RNAs related to various cancers in cells. Provide information for cancer diagnosis.

In 2004, China, the first DNA computer came out in Shanghai Jiaotong University

This DNA computer is based on the improvement of the DNA computer of the Weizmann Institute in Israel. It includes the simultaneous detection of input and output molecules with two-color fluorescent labels, the real-time monitoring of the automatic running process with a sequencer, Magnetic bead surface reaction method curing reaction to improve the controllable operation technology, etc., can complete the function of analog electronic computer processing 0, 1 signal to a certain extent.

2003, the United States, the world's first interactive DNA computer to play a game

This DNA computer is based on biochemical enzymes to calculate simple games.

In February 2002, research on DNA computers went further, Japan

DNA computer unique advantages

The unique advantages of future DNA computers in the fields of research logic, deciphering codes, gene programming, prevention and treatment of difficult diseases, and aerospace, etc., are beyond the reach of electronic computers, and the application prospect is very optimistic. For example, the advent of the DNA computer has made it possible to develop a computer that runs in the human body and in cells. It can serve as a monitoring device to discover potential disease-causing changes. It can also synthesize the required drugs in the human body to treat cancer and heart. Diseases, arteriosclerosis, and other difficult conditions, even in the restoration of blind vision, will also show their skills.

DNA computer man-machine integration

It is entirely conceivable that once the DNA computing technology is fully mature, the true "human-machine integration" will be realized. Because the brain itself is a natural DNA computer, as long as there is an interface, the DNA computer can directly accept the command of the human brain through the interface and become an extension or expansion of the human brain, and it supplements energy by absorbing nutrients from human cells. No external energy supply. Like implanting a DNA-based artificial intelligence chip into the brain in science fiction, the future will be as simple as vaccination. Undoubtedly, the emergence of the DNA computer will bring a qualitative leap to human civilization, bring great changes to the entire world, and have infinitely bright application prospects.

DNA computer level limitation

However, due to the limitations of the current level of biotechnology, the creation of DNA molecular strands in the early stage and the selection of DNA molecular strands in the later stages of DNA calculations require considerable work. For example, Adlerman's "test tube computer" yielded results in seconds, but it took him weeks to pick the right results. Also, if the number of cities is increased to 200 in the experiment, the DNA weight required for the calculation will exceed the weight of the Earth. And hundreds of millions of DNA molecules are very complicated, and they are easy to be deteriorated and damaged during the reaction, and even the adsorption of test tube walls may cause fatal errors. Therefore, it will take time for DNA computers to actually enter real life.

At present, scientists in many countries in the world, including China, are actively overcoming and solving the above-mentioned problems. It is expected that in 10 to 20 years, DNA computers will enter a practical stage.

DNA Computer Derivatives

DNA logic gate, DNA fragment