Researchers Create Logic Circuits From DNA

separsons writes "Researchers at Duke University recently used DNA to craft tiny chips used in computers and electronic circuits. By mixing DNA snippets with other molecules and exposing them to light, researchers created self-assembling, DNA-based logic circuits. Once perfected the tech could serve as an endlessly abundant, cheap alternative to silicon semiconductors. Chris Dwyer, lead researcher on the project, says that one grad student using DNA to make self-assembling circuits could produce more logic circuits in one day than the global silicon chip industry can create in an entire month!"

Comments

Mass production would be simple...

[The Mysterious Dr. X]

All you need is a little polymerase chain reaction. I assume that's how the grad student could outdo the global silicon chip industry as mentioned in the article summary.

Re:Mass production would be simple...

[The Mysterious Dr. X]

The PCR part is already largely autonomous. Throw all the ingredients into the mix, heat it up to a certain temperature in a warm bath, cool it off, heat it up again, cool it off again... You get the idea. Each cycle doubles the amount of DNA produced. All you have to do is make sure there's enough ingredients in the mix; most versions of the equipment can do the heating-cooling cycles themselves.

Short Circuit Movies

[Oxford_Comma_Lover]

> I understand this joke often gets +5 Funny, even though I don't know what it refers to. So here I go:
> No disassemble Johnny 5!

It's from a 1986 movie, Short Circuit. (There was also a sequel). Fun old family movie about an experimental robot developing a personality. In the second one, there are also bank robbers.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091949/

DNA developing into a robot is the other way round, of course.