While strands of DNA may be able to pick fights with other strands, one thing that they can't do yet is play computer games -- that is, until now. In what appears to be an early proof-of-concept for DNA computing, scientists at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico have created a basic computer, called the MAYA-II, which has a molecular array of YES and AND logic gates made up of 100 DNA circuits.
This allows the MAYA-II to play a complete game of Tic-Tac-Toe against a human opponent, and apparently nearly always win. However, this isn't exactly a fair test, given that the MAYA-II always goes first, and always opens with the center square. Still, even though each move takes 30 minutes to complete, the lead researcher on the project, Dr. Joanna Macdonald of Columbia, says that a DNA computer would be perfect for injection into human subjects to combat disease, because in theory, it would be able to "diagnose and kill cancerous cells or monitor and treat diabetes by dispensing insulin when needed." Useful applications aside, we're ready to take on the MAYA-II in Connect Four whenever Dr. Macdonald thinks it's ready.
News source: Engadget
This allows the MAYA-II to play a complete game of Tic-Tac-Toe against a human opponent, and apparently nearly always win. However, this isn't exactly a fair test, given that the MAYA-II always goes first, and always opens with the center square. Still, even though each move takes 30 minutes to complete, the lead researcher on the project, Dr. Joanna Macdonald of Columbia, says that a DNA computer would be perfect for injection into human subjects to combat disease, because in theory, it would be able to "diagnose and kill cancerous cells or monitor and treat diabetes by dispensing insulin when needed." Useful applications aside, we're ready to take on the MAYA-II in Connect Four whenever Dr. Macdonald thinks it's ready.
News source: Engadget
Sorry...I had to
DNA will be amazling powerful when it is sorted out - one cm^3 of DNA can hold up to 750 Terabytes of data
This thing is going to be a huge breakthrough when it gets more advanced!
I'm just thinking... if the DNA computer could do as much as a 'normal' computer and if we would place such DNA computer in our bodies, could hackers execute malicious code on us?
This thing is going to be a huge breakthrough when it gets more advanced!
I'm just thinking... if the DNA computer could do as much as a 'normal' computer and if we would place such DNA computer in our bodies, could hackers execute malicious code on us?
Suddenly puts a new twist on 'Backorifice'
Tic-tac-toe is a non-winning game.
edit: ok, just tried it, you are right :p
Shall we play a game?
:p
-- I had to...
DNA Sports, Its in the Gene
:p
Pretty cool news
LOL that'd be awesome!
In any case, I can't wait to see what happens in the future!
LOL that'd be awesome!
In any case, I can't wait to see what happens in the future!
lol, i saw that episode. it was one of the best outer limit episodes.
Pesky humans. They just complain so much when you chop them up.
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