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Researchers Debut DNA-Powered Computer

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the chess-and-checkers-versions-still-under-development dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico have built a DNA -powered computer that is unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe. Although it's much slower than a normal computer, the researchers say their proof-of-concept system could help them develop new techniques for sorting and analyzing viruses and DNA mutations."

6 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Holy crap by joshetc · · Score: 5, Funny

    unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe This is un-fucking-believable.

  2. Re:Unbeatable at Tic Tac Toe? by Astarica · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That's exactly what unbeatable means - cannot be beaten. It does not mean it can beat you.

  3. Re:But can it be tied. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA: "One limitation of the system is that the human player must always go second, after the centre square has been filled by the machine." Pfft... we can all be unbeatable if we have a little hissy fit about the center square...

  4. Re:Unbeatable at Tic Tac Toe? by demonbug · · Score: 5, Funny
    That's exactly what unbeatable means - cannot be beaten. It does not mean it can beat you.


    My pet rock is also unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe. She discovered the cunning (hehe, cunning stunt bonus!) strategy of never making a move. I've been forced to concede every game so far as hunger, thirst and a need to urinate ultimately win out over my drive to be the greatest Tic-Tac-Toe player on the block.

    I blame my DNA.

  5. so what? by shotgunsaint · · Score: 5, Funny

    So what? I built a computer that's COVERED in DNA.

    --
    The future isn't here until I can type "car keys" into Google and have it say "You left them in your pants last night."
  6. Imagine... by dpbsmith · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a Beowulf puddle of these.

    --

    "How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!