The BBC reports on fascinating developments in the development of DNA-based computers. In this case, they used molecules to represent facts and rules rather than the simple true/false state of binary computing. By feeding the DNA computer a molecular rule (‘all men are mortal’) and a fact (‘Socrates is a man’), the DNA system correctly deduced the answer to ‘Is Socrates mortal?’. Amazingly, the answer was then encoded in the green light given off by a fluorescent molecule. The light was bound to a second molecule which kept the light covered, until a correct answer released an enzyme which allowed the light to shine. Absolutely incredible stuff.

Read the full BBC story here.

Posted Thursday, August 6th, 2009 @ 12:23 am
Filed in science and tech

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