DNA & Molecular Computing

Molecule.jpg (1024×768) DNA & Molecular Computing Computer Architecture Ben Atwell Josh Dean Matt Wienkes

History of DNA Computing
Initially developed in 1994
Leonard Adleman
University of Southern California
Used as a proof of concept to solve seven-point Hamiltonian path problem
Various Turing machines have been constructed using DNA since.
dna

DNA Computers vs. Computers Today
One pound of DNA has the capacity to store more information than all the electronic computers ever built.
The computing power of a teardrop-sized DNA computer, using the DNA logic gates, will be more powerful than the world's most powerful supercomputer
Unlike conventional computers which perform linearly, DNA computers perform calculations parallel to other calculations.

Switching From Silicon to DNA
As long as there are cellular organisms, there will always be a supply of DNA.
The large supply of DNA makes it a cheap resource.
Unlike the toxic materials used to make traditional microprocessors, DNA biochips can be made cleanly.
DNA computers are many times smaller than today's computers.
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Drawbacks of DNA Computing
Can currently only return Yes or No answers to problems.
Although it has the potential for great speed, is currently quite slow
Is competing with more well known/popular models such as Quantum Computing.

Classes of DNA Computing
Intramolecular
Intermolecular
Supramolecular
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Intramolecular DNA Computing
Involves constructing programmable state machines in single DNA molecules
These can operate by means of intramolecular conformational transitions

Intermolecular DNA Computing
The core of Adleman's work
Solving the seven-point Hamiltonian path problem
Focuses on the hybridization between different DNA molecules as a basic step for computations

Supramolecular DNA Computing
The creating of molecular assemblies that are beyond the scale of one molecule
Harnesses the process of self-assembly of rigid DNA molecules with different sequences to perform computations

Current Uses of DNA Computing
MAYA-I
MAYA-II

DNA Computers: The MAYA-I
Molecular Array of YES and ANDNOT logic gates
Composed of only 23 DNA logic gates
Able to complete only specific Tic-Tac-Toe games

Her Successor: The MAYA-II
Replaced the MAYA-I
Based on DNA Stem Loop Controllers
DNA Nanotechnology,
Consists of a single strand of DNA which has a loop at an end,
Dynamic structure that opens and closes when a piece of DNA bonds to the loop part

DNA Computers: The MAYA-II
Contains well over 100 DNA circuits
Able to play any game of Tic- Tac -Toe, not just specific ones
Problem: Very slow
Can take up to 30 minutes to perform a move
Makes it just another proof of concept, not a full application
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Bacteria-based Computer
Light sensitive bacteria known as Halobacterium can switch between two “states”
Red and green laser change the form of the bacteria back and forth, essentially creating a binary system
High storage density potential (480Gb per 5cc)
Potentially slower than DNA, but unlike DNA, not limited to Yes or No answers.

The Future is Coming
IBM seeks a fusion of DNA, silicon, and carbon nano -tubes
Advanced self- assembing DNA machines have created nano -scale car parts
Biologists are researching implanting DNA computers into human cells
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DNA & Molecular Computing

by joshdean on Apr 26, 2010

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