Biological ComputersPresented by:

Dan Mugan, Nathan RussellBrian Sands, & Chad Corillo

Introduction

AdvantagesPerforms millions of operations at same time

Good for parallel computingAbility to use large amounts of working

memory1 gram of DNA can hold 1 x 1014 MB of data Or 145 trillion CDs

1 CD is 800 MB

AdvantagesCheaperLightweight

1 lb of DNA has more computing power than all computers ever made

Low power used to keep in original stateHas ability to solve hardest problems in a

matter of weeks

Environmentally friendlyClean, readily available materials

EthicsTerrorism and Government Control

Ability to release a virus to computers inside bodies

If nanobots fail inside of body, it could destroy a persons organs that rely upon the bot

OverpopulationWith this technology people will live longer

creating a higher demand on resources

Ethics• Creation of superior race (cyborg)

– Ability to use biocomputers to enhance certain abilities• Intelligence• Physical abilities• Age

– These people will outperform the have nots who cannot purchase the technology

– Can be used like steroids but without the side effects

Ethics Computers taking over

Biocomputers will eventually have the capability to solve problems on their own without human intervention

This could mean a takeover by a Terminator type creation

Would you put your life in the hands of a computer?Computers today are not trustworthy at all

timesDoctor malpractice

Disadvantages• Molecular operations are not perfect• DNA computing involves a relatively large

amount of error• As size of problem grows, probability of

receiving incorrect answer eventually becomes greater than probability of receiving correct answer.

• Sometimes there are errors in the pairing of DNA strands

• Simple problems solved faster on electronic computers

DisadvantagesHuman assistance is required Time consuming lab proceduresNo universal method of data representationDNA has a half-life

Solutions could dissolve away before end result is found

Information can be untransmittableCurrent DNA algorithms compute successfully

w/o passing any information from one processor to the next in a multiprocessor connection bus.

Medical ApplicationsIn 2004, a group in Israel claimed to have

created a DNA automaton that can diagnose symptoms of cancer and administer a therapy In prostate cancer, and some others, diagnosis is

based on molecular signaturesIt senses messenger RNA and can detect the

abnormal mRNAs produced by genes involved in certain types of lung and prostate cancer.

An anticancer drug is released if an abnormal mRNA is foundIt is also made of DNATumor related gene suppressed

Medical ApplicationsDNA computers known as computational

genes would be integrated into the genetic material already in the patients cells

Computational genes are similar to ordinary gene DNA markersThey will be programmed to react to a certain

input with a certain outputReplacement of coding for protein structure.

Designed a computational DNA molecule that would answer 5 yes or no questions

Questions used to establish the typical markers of whether or not prostate cancer was present

Medical ApplicationsIf 5 yes answers were received, then there

would be a release of the drug.The researchers successfully applied this to a

test system that recreates the typical molecular signatures of prostate cancer in vitrosimilar treatment on a test tube model of small cell

lung cancer.

This is what researchers hope is the beginning of the future for smart drugsRoam the body by fixing disease on the spotIt would sense a change in the environment and

respond by releasing biological molecules

Medical ApplicationsWest Nile

Could be used to distinguish between the various viral strains

DiabetesCould monitor blood sugar levels and dispense

insulin when needed.

Medical ApplicationsMay be several decades before such a system

is operating inside the human body will become a reality

Process of introducing genetic material into a person would need to be considered carefully. Bodies reaction may not be easily predicted

Computational Gene ChallengesDelivery of the DNA into cells and

incorporation into the patients' own DNA.

Keeping them from being treated by the immune system as foreign invaders.

Artificial Intelligence

Conclusion