DNA Computing

DNA computing is a novel technology that seeks to capitalize on the enormous capacity of DNA, biological molecules that can store huge amounts of information and are able to perform operations similar to that of a computer, through the deployment of enzymes, biological catalysts that act like software to execute desired operations. DNA computing brings greater optimization to revolutionize the computer industry in the use of molecules of DNA in a computer, in place of electronics, circuits and magnetic or optical storage media. For serial logic, DNA computers are not a viable option. However for parallel logic, a DNA computer can perform 10¹⁴ million instructions per second. It also requires less energy and space. The computing power of a teardrop sized DNA computer will be more powerful than the world’s most powerful super computer. In DNA computers data are entered and coded into DNA by chemical reactions and retrieved by synthesizing a key data and make them react with existing DNA strands. Here the key DNA will stick to the required DNA strands containing data. In short, in a DNA computer, the input and output are both strands of DNA.

DNA based logic gates & biochip

DNA computers will work through the use of DNA based logic gates. These logic gates are very much similar to what is used in our computers today with the only difference being the composition of input and output signals. In the current technology of logic gates, binary codes from the silicon transistors are converted into instructions that can be carried out by the computer. DNA computers on the other hand, use DNA codes in place of electrical signals as input to DNA logic gates. They detect fragments of genetic material as input, splice together these fragments and form a single output. For instance, a genetic gate called ‘AND gate’ links two DNA inputs by chemically binding them so that they are locked in an end-to-end structure.

The ability to build a biochip lies first and foremost in the ability to merge the biological parts with the electronics into hybrid systems. MEMS- Micro Electro Mechanical System is the practice of combining miniaturized mechanical and electronic components. Any successful biochip can be built by combining the latest electronic technologies. Successful MEMS technology will be the key to building biochips. One advantage of biochip is that its manufacture does not produce any toxic by-products.

A successor to silicon

Silicon microprocessors have been the heart of the computing world for more than forty years. In that time, manufacturers have crammed more and more electronic devices onto their microprocessors. In accordance with the Moore’s Law, the number of electronic devices put on microprocessor has doubled every 18 months. Moore’s Law is named after Intel founder Gordon Moore, who predicted in 1965 that microprocessors would double in complexity every two years. Many have predicted that Moore’s Law will soon reach its end, because of the physical speed and miniaturization limitations of silicon microprocessors. The current silicon technology has the following limitations:

· Circuit integration dimensions

· Clock frequency

· Power consumption

· Heat dissipation

DNA computers have the potential to take computing to new levels. There are several advantages of using DNA instead of silicon.

v As long as there are cellular organisms, there will always be a supply of DNA.

v The large supply of DNA makes it a cheap resource.

v Unlike toxic materials used to make traditional microprocessors, DNA biochips can be made cleanly.

v One pound of DNA has the capacity to store more information than all electronic computers ever built.

v It has the ability to perform many calculations simultaneously.

v Use of DNA will make the DNA computers many times smaller than today’s computer.