25-06-2012, 11:12 AM
Biological Computer
Biological Computer[.docx (Size: 523.9 KB / Downloads: 52)
Abstract
The fields of computing and biology have begun to cross paths in new ways. In this paper a review of the current research in biological computing is presented. Fundamental concepts are introduced and these foundational elements are explored to discuss the possibilities of a new computing paradigm. We assume the reader to possess a basic knowledge of Biology and Computer Science. Biological computers are special types of microcomputers that are specifically designed to be used for medical applications. The biological computer is an implantable device that is mainly used for tasks like monitoring the body's activities or inducing therapeutic effects, all at the molecular or cellular level. The biological computer is made up of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid - an important part in the synthesis of protein from amino acids), DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid - nucleic acid molecule that contains the important genetic information that is used by the body for the construction of cells; it's the blue print for all living organisms), and proteins.
Introduction
It is easy to miss nature’s influence and subsequent impact on living forms. This applies to our day to day activities as well. Humans use a variety of gadgets and gizmos without realizing that the gadget could be working on a pattern already patented and perfected by Mother Nature. Computers and software are no exception. The last few decades have ushered in the age of computers. Electronics have invaded all walks of life and we depend on electronics to accomplish most of our day to day activities. As predicted by Dr. Gordon E. Moore, modern day electronics has progressed with miniaturization of electronic components. According to Dr. Moore, the miniaturization of integrated electronics will continue to be bettered once every 12 – 18 months with a reduction in cost (Moore, 1965).
The New Biology
Biocomputing research is one of those new disciplines that cuts across well-established fields—in this case computer science and biology—but doesn’t fit comfortably into either culture.“Biologists are trained for discoveries,” says Collins. “I don’t push any of my students towards discovery of a new component in a biological system.” Rockefeller University postdoctoral fellow Michael Elowitz explains this difference in engineering terms: “Typically in biology, one tries to reverse-engineer circuits that have already been designed and built by evolution.” What Collins, Elowitz and others want to do instead is forward-engineer biological circuits, or build novel ones from scratch. But while biocomputing researchers’ goals are quite different from those of cellular and molecular biologists, many of the tools they rely on are the same. And working at a bench in a biologically oriented “wet lab” doesn’t come easy for computer scientists and engineers—many of whom are used to machines that faithfully execute the commands that they type. But in the wet lab, as the saying goes, “the organism will do whatever it damn well pleases.”
Amorphous Computing
Two-gene switches aren’t exactly new to biology, says Roger Brent, associate director of research at the Molecular Sciences Institute in Berkeley, Calif., a nonprofit research firm. Brent—who evaluated biocomputing research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—says that genetic engineers “have made and used such switches of increasing sophistication since the 1970s. We biologists have tons and tons of cells that exist in two states” and change depending on external inputs. For Brent, what’s most intriguing about the B.U. researchers’ genetic switch is that it could be just the beginning. “We have two-state cells. What about four-state cells? Is there some good there?” he asks. “Let’s say that you could get a cell that existed in a large number of independent states and there were things happening inside the cell...which caused the cell to go from one state to another in response to different influences,”
Concept
This paper talks about how two diverse systems, biology and computers are brought together to take mankind into the future. A basic understanding of the lowest unit (Deoxyribonucleic acid - DNA) of life will help. People should not imagine that DNA will replace the CPU in biological computing. In our opinion such a scenario is at least two decades or more away from reality. As like other inventions one can safely anticipate or expect baby steps in this direction before conceiving bigger pictures. Although not exceeding a few microns in size, the DNA molecule has a number of tricks that will be useful for biological computing. One of them is the ability to generate proteins. Once programmed, by altering the cell by chemical or changing the environment the reprogrammed cell does its job to near perfection as per the changed environment Another trick that may be useful is the ability of DNA to make exact copies of itself. Imagine the advantage of having such molecules programmed for different purposes and its impact on applied sciences like medicine, agriculture, and various industries, in fact such molecules act like micro computers.
Biological Computer[.docx (Size: 523.9 KB / Downloads: 52)
Abstract
The fields of computing and biology have begun to cross paths in new ways. In this paper a review of the current research in biological computing is presented. Fundamental concepts are introduced and these foundational elements are explored to discuss the possibilities of a new computing paradigm. We assume the reader to possess a basic knowledge of Biology and Computer Science. Biological computers are special types of microcomputers that are specifically designed to be used for medical applications. The biological computer is an implantable device that is mainly used for tasks like monitoring the body's activities or inducing therapeutic effects, all at the molecular or cellular level. The biological computer is made up of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid - an important part in the synthesis of protein from amino acids), DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid - nucleic acid molecule that contains the important genetic information that is used by the body for the construction of cells; it's the blue print for all living organisms), and proteins.
Introduction
It is easy to miss nature’s influence and subsequent impact on living forms. This applies to our day to day activities as well. Humans use a variety of gadgets and gizmos without realizing that the gadget could be working on a pattern already patented and perfected by Mother Nature. Computers and software are no exception. The last few decades have ushered in the age of computers. Electronics have invaded all walks of life and we depend on electronics to accomplish most of our day to day activities. As predicted by Dr. Gordon E. Moore, modern day electronics has progressed with miniaturization of electronic components. According to Dr. Moore, the miniaturization of integrated electronics will continue to be bettered once every 12 – 18 months with a reduction in cost (Moore, 1965).
The New Biology
Biocomputing research is one of those new disciplines that cuts across well-established fields—in this case computer science and biology—but doesn’t fit comfortably into either culture.“Biologists are trained for discoveries,” says Collins. “I don’t push any of my students towards discovery of a new component in a biological system.” Rockefeller University postdoctoral fellow Michael Elowitz explains this difference in engineering terms: “Typically in biology, one tries to reverse-engineer circuits that have already been designed and built by evolution.” What Collins, Elowitz and others want to do instead is forward-engineer biological circuits, or build novel ones from scratch. But while biocomputing researchers’ goals are quite different from those of cellular and molecular biologists, many of the tools they rely on are the same. And working at a bench in a biologically oriented “wet lab” doesn’t come easy for computer scientists and engineers—many of whom are used to machines that faithfully execute the commands that they type. But in the wet lab, as the saying goes, “the organism will do whatever it damn well pleases.”
Amorphous Computing
Two-gene switches aren’t exactly new to biology, says Roger Brent, associate director of research at the Molecular Sciences Institute in Berkeley, Calif., a nonprofit research firm. Brent—who evaluated biocomputing research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—says that genetic engineers “have made and used such switches of increasing sophistication since the 1970s. We biologists have tons and tons of cells that exist in two states” and change depending on external inputs. For Brent, what’s most intriguing about the B.U. researchers’ genetic switch is that it could be just the beginning. “We have two-state cells. What about four-state cells? Is there some good there?” he asks. “Let’s say that you could get a cell that existed in a large number of independent states and there were things happening inside the cell...which caused the cell to go from one state to another in response to different influences,”
Concept
This paper talks about how two diverse systems, biology and computers are brought together to take mankind into the future. A basic understanding of the lowest unit (Deoxyribonucleic acid - DNA) of life will help. People should not imagine that DNA will replace the CPU in biological computing. In our opinion such a scenario is at least two decades or more away from reality. As like other inventions one can safely anticipate or expect baby steps in this direction before conceiving bigger pictures. Although not exceeding a few microns in size, the DNA molecule has a number of tricks that will be useful for biological computing. One of them is the ability to generate proteins. Once programmed, by altering the cell by chemical or changing the environment the reprogrammed cell does its job to near perfection as per the changed environment Another trick that may be useful is the ability of DNA to make exact copies of itself. Imagine the advantage of having such molecules programmed for different purposes and its impact on applied sciences like medicine, agriculture, and various industries, in fact such molecules act like micro computers.