Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

DNA Solves Million-Answer NP-Complete Problem

Posted by timothy on from the combinations dept.

cybrpnk writes: "A 'DNA computer' has been used for the first time to find the only correct answer from over a million possible solutions to a computational problem. Leonard Adleman of the University of Southern California in the US and colleagues used different strands of DNA to represent the 20 variables in their problem, which could be the most complex task ever solved without a conventional computer. Details to be published in Science."

6 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. And in 5 years Microsoft will say... by Ozan · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...it's not a bug it's a mutation.

  2. Which OS? by Gangis · · Score: 3, Funny

    Which OS did they use? Microsoft DNA?

    *rimshot*

    --
    "Black holes are where God divided by zero." - Steve Wright
  3. for comparison sake by Alien54 · · Score: 3, Funny
    It would be interesting to find out what the comparitive time for finding an answer would be for common conventional computers. vs this process.

    at least we would have a benchmark of sorts.

    I imagine that the problems of creating a truly AI computer will be solved using a DNA based computer.

    ;-)

    --
    "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
  4. Re:I must resist.... by Mr+Teddy+Bear · · Score: 2, Funny

    Actually, the beowulf comment MIGHT actually be applicable this time. Because that is what clustering is all about. So really... a beowulf cluster of digital machines is an attempt at making one huge DNA machine.

    Now if only they could stop making the damn DNA computer morph into Bill Gates. And I thought sheep were baaaad.

  5. It's only a matter of time... by guttentag · · Score: 4, Funny
    before we hear:

    It looks like you're attempting mitosis. Now would be a great time to sign up for a Passport account. WARNING: Are you sure you want to attempt mitosis without a Passport account? Your ancestors may regret it!

    And on the other side of the coin, the Open Source DNA advocates will be saying:
    You don't need a Passport account to have kids, honey. Yes, it's perfectly safe. Support? Who the hell told you Microsoft was going to support our child?! A free PC?!

  6. 42 by edoug · · Score: 2, Funny

    As a testimate to the parallel computing power of DNA computers, an entire planet of DNA computers has produced the answer to the universe. However, now we must wonder as to what question this answer applies....

    --
    meh.