The complexities of DNA computation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
J C Cox1, D S Cohen, A D Ellington
1Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Over the past few years, a handful of insightful researchers have bridged the gap between biological computing theory and actual DNA-based computation. By using ingenious encoding techniques and clever molecular-biological manipulations, simple versions of computationally complex problems have been experimentally approached or resolved. However, the technical problems revealed during the execution of these scientific set pieces make it unlikely that DNA will ever rival silicon for the solution of any real-world problem.
Related Concept Videos
DNA as a Genetic Template
DNA as a Genetic Template
The Nucleosome
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
The Nucleosome
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
The DNA Helix
The DNA Helix
