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About DNA Computers

Conventional computers uses silicon chips and electronic equipment to store, read, create and transfer data of many varieties. However, the realm of computation isn't limited to only mechanical and electronic circuitry. Since 1994, researchers have been experimenting with the creation of biological computers using DNA molecules and enzymes.

DNA Computing
- In simple terms, DNA computers are composed of little more than strands of DNA and enzymes combined in a liquid. The DNA strands are specially selected or engineered to create a solution to a given problem when combined. By combining the DNA strands, chemical reaction sequences occur to generate the results based on the byproducts of the DNA strands. DNA computers have no mechanical parts and no electronics; they are entirely biological in nature.
Hamiltonian Path Problem
- In 1994, computer scientist Leonard Adleman theorized that using DNA sequencing a solution to the Hamiltonian Path problem could be generated. Also known as the "Traveling Salesman Problem," this mathematical problem requires the shortest possible path to be drawn between geographically separated locations, much like the titular "traveling salesman" visiting different cities or nodes. Each node on the path could only be visited once. By giving each node a unique DNA sequence and setting them to replicate using the combined sequences, myriads solutions could be generated, and the correct one determined by process of elimination. Originally Adleman solved a seven-point path using this method, but would later solve a more complex 20-point path in 2002.
Parallel Computing
- DNA computing is a type of parallel computing, where many possible solutions can be attempted at a single time as opposed to a more linear approach of trying one solution. Using this form of parallel computing, it's possible to generate several possible solutions to a given problem and select the most appropriate.
Potential Uses
- According to Israeli researcher Ehud Shapiro, DNA computing could someday be used to create autonomous bio-molecular computers within cells. Theoretically, these DNA computers could monitor a human being's health and react to disease, chemical imbalance or damage to repair and treat health problems. RSA Laboratories postulates that DNA computing could also be used to create complex cryptographic codes to offer maximum security to sensitive systems. Complex DNA computer systems could also be designed to accurately perform millions of complex calculations at a single time.

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