The breakthrough demonstrates a molecular computer made from strands of DNA
Researchers at Maynooth University have developed a "first-of-its-kind" DNA computer, described as one of the most complex and fastest molecular computers yet reported.
The breakthrough demonstrates a molecular computer made from strands of DNA that can perform multiplication, division and addition.
From left: Janet Adio, Prof Damien Woods and Dr Abeer Eshra. Image: Maynooth University
Unlike conventional computers that run on silicon chips, the system is a collection of interacting DNA strands in water without a continuous electricity supply and needing only a little heat to kick-start the computation.
The research points to new possibilities for long-term data storage, energy-efficient computation and, in time, molecular systems that could operate inside cells for applications such as disease detection.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Prof Damien Woods of MU’s Hamilton Institute and Department of Computer Science believes a number of potential applications could arise from the new research:
"We don't know what applications will come out of this kind of work, we're not alone working on this, working with molecules like DNA, RNA, and perhaps one day, protein. I suppose the point of applications like that is to try to imagine what could happen."
Prof Woods also alluded to the range of DNA data that can be accessed, with it's ability to store data making it potentially able to take pressure off data centres around the country.
The full interview can be heard below:
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