Biocomputing is an interdisciplinary research area which combines biology, computer science, and engineering. It is the process of building computers that use biological materials. It uses systems of biologically derived molecules, such as proteins and DNA, to perform computational calculations. This paper provides a brief introduction to biocomputing. Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Nana K. Ampah | Sarhan M. Musa "Biocomputing" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-6 , October 2018, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd18825.pdf

1. International Journal of Trend in
International Open Access Journal
ISSN No: 2456
@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com
Matthew N. O. Sadiku
1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas
2
Lone Star College
ABSTRACT
Biocomputing is an interdisciplinary research area
which combines biology, computer science, and
engineering. It is the process of building computers
that use biological materials. It uses systems of
biologically derived molecules, such as
DNA, to perform computational calculations. This
paper provides a brief introduction to biocomputing.
Keyword: biocomputing, molecular computing, DNA
computing
INTRODUCTION
Biocomputing, known also as molecular computing or
DNA computing, is a fascinating development at the
interface of computer science and molecular biology.
It is the application of information technology and
computer science to biological problems.
Biocomputing is the use of computers which function
like living organisms or contain biological
components. Biocomputers use systems of
biologically derived molecules such as
deoxyribonucleic acid) and proteins
computation. They are computers made of proteins,
genes, and cells; they can perform mathematical
operations. Proteins are the fundamental building
blocks of life. Cells are made up of proteins. The cell
is understood as a computational system; its program
resides in DNA.
Biological computing can provide a huge parallelism
for handling problems in the real world. DNA
computers have the capability of high performance
computing [1]. The biological computers are mostly
used for medical applications. Scientists have been
able to create genetic biocircuits that can perform all
basic Boolean logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND,
NOR, XOR, and XNOR. The functional block
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)
International Open Access Journal | www.ijtsrd.com
ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | Volume - 2 | Issue – 6 | Sep
www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 6 | Sep-Oct 2018
Biocomputing
Matthew N. O. Sadiku1
, Nana K. Ampah2
, Sarhan M. Musa
1
Professor, 2
Adjunct Faculty
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas
Lone Star College Kingwood, Houston, Texas
Biocomputing is an interdisciplinary research area
which combines biology, computer science, and
engineering. It is the process of building computers
that use biological materials. It uses systems of
biologically derived molecules, such as proteins and
DNA, to perform computational calculations. This
paper provides a brief introduction to biocomputing.
biocomputing, molecular computing, DNA
Biocomputing, known also as molecular computing or
is a fascinating development at the
interface of computer science and molecular biology.
It is the application of information technology and
computer science to biological problems.
Biocomputing is the use of computers which function
like living organisms or contain biological
use systems of
biologically derived molecules such as DNA (or
proteins to perform
uters made of proteins,
genes, and cells; they can perform mathematical
Proteins are the fundamental building
blocks of life. Cells are made up of proteins. The cell
is understood as a computational system; its program
al computing can provide a huge parallelism
for handling problems in the real world. DNA
computers have the capability of high performance
computing [1]. The biological computers are mostly
used for medical applications. Scientists have been
e genetic biocircuits that can perform all
basic Boolean logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND,
NOR, XOR, and XNOR. The functional block
diagram of the biocomputing system is shown in
Figure 1 [2].
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
We use biocomputer for its multi
effective, little waste, high artificial intelligence (AI),
self-recovery, and massive memory. DNA Computers
can perform massively parallel computation and are
highly energy efficient systems [3]. Biocomputing
can open up a whole different r
Currently, a biocomputer requires hours to return an
output. For this reason, biocomputers may never
match their digital counterparts in terms of speed.
However, significant advances in biology are likely
to be made in the coming years
have impact on biocomputing. The possibility of CPU
being replaced by biological molecules remains in the
far future.
The challenge for biologists nowadays lies in the de
codification of the complex data they have to handle
in order to achieve a better understanding of how our
genes shape and how our genome evolved [4].
Scientists that are involved in the biocomputing must
take care of legal, moral, and ethical regulations.
CONCLUSION
While we live in the age of computers, biocomput
is slowly gaining importance. The new field of
biocomputing has emerged through the
interdisciplinary efforts of engineers and scientists. As
engineers and scientists do research on biocomputing,
the new discoveries will revolutionize the medical
field. Thus, the future for biocomputing is bright. It
will lay the foundations for a new era of computing
[5]. Additional information about biocomputing can
be obtained in [6].
Research and Development (IJTSRD)
www.ijtsrd.com
6 | Sep – Oct 2018
Oct 2018 Page: 1250
Sarhan M. Musa1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas
diagram of the biocomputing system is shown in
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
We use biocomputer for its multi-processor, cost
effective, little waste, high artificial intelligence (AI),
recovery, and massive memory. DNA Computers
can perform massively parallel computation and are
highly energy efficient systems [3]. Biocomputing
can open up a whole different realm of computing.
Currently, a biocomputer requires hours to return an
output. For this reason, biocomputers may never
match their digital counterparts in terms of speed.
However, significant advances in biology are likely
to be made in the coming years and the advances will
have impact on biocomputing. The possibility of CPU
being replaced by biological molecules remains in the
The challenge for biologists nowadays lies in the de-
codification of the complex data they have to handle
to achieve a better understanding of how our
genes shape and how our genome evolved [4].
Scientists that are involved in the biocomputing must
take care of legal, moral, and ethical regulations.
While we live in the age of computers, biocomputing
is slowly gaining importance. The new field of
biocomputing has emerged through the
interdisciplinary efforts of engineers and scientists. As
engineers and scientists do research on biocomputing,
the new discoveries will revolutionize the medical
. Thus, the future for biocomputing is bright. It
will lay the foundations for a new era of computing
[5]. Additional information about biocomputing can

2. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456
@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com
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Figure1. Functional block diagram of bio
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456
www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 6 | Sep-Oct 2018
M. Guo, M. Ho, and W. L. Chang, “Fast parallel
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Oct 2018 Page: 1251
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