Computers: Coming Soon to Your Bloodstream

(Model of a single cell device in the bloodstream. Source:elec-intro.com)

Scientists have successfully figured out how to create the basic components of a computer system within DNA and bacteria. Researchers at the Imperial College London have found a way to create "logic gates" within gutted DNA and batceria strands. Logic gates are one of the most elementary components to a computer system, without it, a computer would not be able to process any information. Basically how these work as of right now is very similar to a binary system (values of 1 or 0) in that they could be "on" or "off". As of now the researchers were only able to put a single logic gate in each strand, but as the technology develops, they plan to make complex strands, that will contain multiple logic gates.

Escherichia Coli (Source:humenhealth.com)

This is a huge breakthrough in nanotechnology and bioengineering. With this technology,  microscopic computers may be able to measure plaque levels in major arteries, or release medicine from within the bloodstream to treat certain illnesses. Professor Martin Buck, co-author of the paper written at Imperial College London, says   "We believe that the next stage of our research could lead to a totally new type of circuitry for processing information. In the future, we may see complex biological circuitry processing information using chemicals, much in the same way that our body uses them to process and store information."  The first successful logic gate was created in an Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria cell, where it was reprogrammed to be turned on or off by certain chemical triggers.  What is truly amazing is that scientist have found ways to take very harmful bacteria strands and turn them in to tools that we can use safely to better mankind.


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