DNA computer solves logical problems, inches closer to practical use
The world of biomolecular computing is hardly a lonely place: bacteria, enzymes, and all manner of chemicals
have already been used to perform basic automated tasks. DNA computers
are arguably the most advanced organic form of "autonomous programmable
computing devices," with one already boasting a pretty tight game of Tic-Tac-Toe.
The latest, put together by the Israeli Weizmann Institute, advances
things with its ability to correctly respond to problems of logic. By
feeding molecular rules and facts into the system, the researchers are
able to program DNA strands to produce yes and no answers to basic
questions. Programming is said to be technically identical to that used
in electronic devices, with a robot
compiler converting the programming language into molecular-level
information. The ultimate aim of the project is to produce miniscule
disease-fighting bots that can battle infections within the human body
-- provided the DNA-programming drones don't go all Yul Brynner on us.[Thanks, Karl]
Filed under: Science
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yerand95 @ Aug 10th 2009 12:20PM
wow, that is pretty damn amazing
and scary
Colonel Kernel @ Aug 10th 2009 12:20PM
Westworld! Classic flick. It gave me nightmares as a kid.
PoisonWolf @ Aug 10th 2009 12:22PM
Technology is getting so scary.
OneLove @ Aug 10th 2009 12:26PM
its still not better than my dna computer
UPGRAYEDD @ Aug 10th 2009 12:27PM
Who might explain the Yul Brynner joke ?
JWC @ Aug 10th 2009 1:16PM
Google Yul Brynner and Westworld.
DC @ Aug 10th 2009 2:28PM
As soon as I saw the Yul Brynner reference, I thought very few people under the age of 40 would get it.
Colonel Kernel @ Aug 10th 2009 4:28PM
I know of it because of my father's love of westerns, though it was more like scifi/western/horror ... !?
Daemonios @ Aug 10th 2009 12:32PM
I, for one, salute our FIRST!!!11 new problem-solving Crisis-playing DNA computer overlords.
Sisyphus @ Aug 10th 2009 12:54PM
I have billions of DNA computers, all trying to do this:
C:\deesnuts\makebaby.exe
yomama84 @ Aug 10th 2009 12:58PM
thats really really cool. But also really really scary. What if they work and we get great results from them so much that doctors starts to use them frequently on people. Then one day they become self aware......travels up to the brain and take control of all the humans that have these micro inside them.
Sisyphus @ Aug 10th 2009 1:18PM
cool story, bro
neofolklore @ Aug 10th 2009 1:20PM
There was a huge gap between "using them on lots of people" and "then one day they become self aware"
quit FUD-ding around.
barrykottlermd @ Aug 10th 2009 1:06PM
re-yomama84,
Get rich and write the novel.
yomama84 @ Aug 10th 2009 2:26PM
i'd get rich and die trying......
ryan @ Aug 10th 2009 1:28PM
I just wanted to say how BADASS it would be to become a cyborg.
Aus @ Aug 10th 2009 1:43PM
This technology will become a new biological weapon.
Rick @ Aug 11th 2009 11:07AM
If weapon detect person xyz = terminate
Just need a DNA sample from the target to tailor the weapon.
You know its on the military weapons program road map.
Joey @ Aug 10th 2009 2:48PM
But can it run crysis?
RLBurkes @ Aug 10th 2009 3:10PM
The DNA programming seems very similar to the language Prolog, which can be pretty powerful if you know what your doing.
redleader158 @ Aug 10th 2009 4:10PM
" the researchers are able to program DNA strands to produce yes and no answers to basic questions"
... and pretty soon valid and invalid. O_O
barcinski @ Aug 10th 2009 5:37PM
"The ultimate aim of the project is to produce miniscule disease-fighting bots that can battle infections within the human body"
The bots are running on windows nano™, viruses have nothing to fear.
MRLN, Fountain of Monumental and Beautiful and Otherwise Ineffable Wit and Wisdom @ Aug 10th 2009 5:53PM
Growing computer chips? Yes please!