Computing by Writing on DNA Plasmids
ABSTRACT: Each of our computations begins with a volume of water (buffer)
in which a vast number of identical molecules is dissolved, each of which
serves as a memory register on which bits can be 'written' at a prescribed
set of locations. Many molecules can be considered for use as memory registers
and many physico-chemical means of writing can be conceived. At this early
stage we are using a double stranded DNA circular plasmid as memory register.
Computations are being carried out on this basis in laboratories at Leiden
University and Binghamton University. Solutions of instances of the maximal
independent set problem and the minimal vertex cover problem have been
completed and a solution of an instance of Boolean satisfiability is near
completion. At least one of these laboratory computations will be briefly
reported with a confirming gel photo. As the next step we propose to continue
using DNA plasmids, but to 'write' on them with methyases. At a longer
time scale we propose to use our experience with plasmids to attack plasmid
borne bacterial virulence.
Given Oct 1, 1999 by Tom Head