American scientists have developed a DNA-based system capable of storing and computing data, opening up possibilities for compact and long-lasting biological computers.
For billions of years, DNA has served as nature's information storage system. Recently, engineers have begun to use DNA for data storage and biological computing. However, until now it has been difficult to create a synthetic system capable of simultaneously storing and processing data.
A groundbreaking study led by researchers at North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University shows that DNA can now perform a variety of computational tasks. These tasks include storing, reading, deleting, moving and rewriting data – all in programmable and repeatable ways similar to traditional computers.
The impossible turned out to be possible
It was thought that while DNA data storage might be useful for long-term data storage, it would be difficult or impossible to develop DNA technology that would encompass the full range of operations found in traditional electronic devices. We have shown that these DNA-based technologies are viable because we have made one, explains molecular biologist Albert Keung of the aforementioned University of North Carolina.
The engineers achieved this by using tiny tree-like structures called dendicolloids to efficiently store and modify the DNA code. This makes it possible to copy the data into the RNA for processing or to rewrite specific regions of the DNA without damaging the original data. Their research was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
A system that can last millions of years?
Such structures not only allow easier manipulation of the code, but also help maintain it. In accelerated aging tests, DNA stored at around 4°C can last for millennia, and at even lower temperatures, potentially millions of years.
This essentially allows us to perform a whole range of data storage and computing functions on DNA, says chemical engineer Kevin Lin of the University of North Carolina. The system has already successfully solved simple problems like chess and sudoku.
Although it is still far from practical implementation, the potential for DNA computing is great. We wanted to develop something that would inspire the field of molecular informatics. And we hope that what we have done here is a step in that direction, says Keung at the end.
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