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The biological microprocessor, or how to build a computer with biological parts
1Leukippos Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|April 2, 2014
Summary
Scientists engineered a biological microprocessor using biological parts, inspired by silicon computer principles. This biocomputer can monitor and control biological systems, opening new avenues in synthetic biology.
Area of Science:
- Bio-engineering
- Systems Biology
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- The principles of systemics offer a new scientific paradigm.
- Engineering silicon computers provides a blueprint for biological machines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the building blocks of a biological microprocessor.
- To explain the assembly of a general-purpose biocomputer.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing biological parts to construct computer components.
- Assembling an input/output device, arithmetic logic unit, control unit, memory, and busses.
Main Results:
- A functional biological microprocessor was conceptualized.
- The system integrates biological components for computation.
Conclusions:
- A biocomputer can be engineered using biological parts.
- This biocomputer can monitor and control biological systems.
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