DNA computing

[HotSoup]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0224_030224_DNAcomputer.html

 

[Suspected Idiot]

This idea has huge potential, especially as we are approaching the limit of silicon based processors. At the moment though it looks as if the type of calculations they can do are limited. When someone comes up with a DNA turing machine, dump your AMD stocks quick.

 

[gmol]

This idea has huge potential, especially as we are approaching the limit of silicon based processors. At the moment though it looks as if the type of calculations they can do are limited. When someone comes up with a DNA turing machine, dump your AMD stocks quick.

Sigh,
This DNA computing crap is just another case of what is very nearly false advertising (if there is such a thing in science).

Adleman's original seminal experiments were very insightful, and got everyone thinking in new directions (which is a real good thing).

Then stuff like this comes along which makes all sort of scale comparisons (information density etc.)m which are just plain misleading.


I hate to be a cynic, but trust me; DNA computing (in the forms in currently exists) will never go beyond these kinds of simple little experiements...

 

[CapelDodger]

As of now, the DNA computer can only perform rudimentary functions, and it has no practical applications. "Our computer is programmable, but it's not universal," said Shapiro. "There are computing tasks it inherently can't do."

"Well, duh." (Alan Turing)

Using DNA and enzymes is a short cut, since no-one can really better the design as of now. That doesn't mean a chemically based computing system may not at some stage be tenable. This report is just a 'proof-of-concept'.

 

[gmol]

Of course no one really knows what any proof of concept *may* bring.
But for people in the field, it can be obvious at time.
It's not at all forseeable how these 'computers' (they are really not) could do anything useful or lead to more interesting research (forgetting about the suggestions that the authors are making...).

Science has jaded me ....

"Well, duh." (Alan Turing)

Using DNA and enzymes is a short cut, since no-one can really better the design as of now. That doesn't mean a chemically based computing system may not at some stage be tenable. This report is just a 'proof-of-concept'.

 

[Soapy Sam]

I can't help thinking that DNA based Turing Machines have quite an established track record. But then, I'm biased.

 

[gmol]

The analogies are interesting, but largely superficial.

I assume that you are alluding the natural DNA polymerase system, which in fact, isn't at all a Turing machine when you actually look up the definitions.

I can't help thinking that DNA based Turing Machines have quite an established track record. But then, I'm biased.

 

[Suspected Idiot]

Certainly DNA based systems have a very good record when taking the Turing test...

 

[Plutarck]

Certainly DNA based systems have a very good record when taking the Turing test...

Actually DNA based systems, on average, do generally horribly on the Turing test. There is, of course, a few notable exceptions...

 

[espritch]

Actually DNA based systems, on average, do generally horribly on the Turing test. There is, of course, a few notable exceptions...

My dog not being one of those exceptions. Heck! I had a hard enough time just teaching him to use the keyboard...