DNA computers

There are some experiments going on, whereby “scientists synthesize DNA molecules and present them with a mathematical problem” (http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020329S0006 ,second paragraph): This is the way, Greenemeier describes the way DNA computer work.

But what are DNA computers? You might have heard DNA in the news, together with terms as "stem cell research" or "genetic code", which doesn't seem to have anything to do with computers. But it has!

DNA computers are being tested at several laboratories around the world, and are usually build up like this:

Living organism, DNA, is placed into a tub of liquid. These organisms are microscopical small and normally live in other organisms. Now the researchers confront them with a mathematical problem, by applying weak neutron electric shocks to the liquid. This is similar to what the human body does, for example, when sending information to the nerves.

 The DNA in the tub would calculate a problem, what is actually the same as computers do! Then they give out the information as an eletric impulse which can be recorded by certain devices, Greenemeier says.

DNA computers wouldn't need any electricity, and would be much smaller than computers nowadays!

For further information visit:

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020329S0006

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0224_030224_DNAcomputer.html

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