A team of researchers at the
University of
Toyama in Japan, led by Masahiko Inouye, claim to have created
the world's first stable
artificial DNA molecules, made from synthesised nucleosides
that resemble their natural counterparts.
DNA is made up of four basic building blocks, or bases, which
code proteins used in cell functioning and development. While other
researchers have developed DNA molecules with a few select
artificial parts, the Japanese team put together four completely
new artificial bases inside the framework of a DNA molecule,
creating unusually stable, double-stranded structures resembling
natural DNA.
The scientists say the artificial DNA acts like the real thing,
and even forms right-handed duplexes with complementary artificial
strands. They hope to one day use their discovery to create a new
biological information storage system that functions outside the
cell. Artificial DNA could be advantageously used instead of
natural DNA due to its stability against naturally occurring
enzymes and its structural diversity.
The unique chemistry of these artificial bases and DNA
structures, coupled with their high stability, offers limitless
possibilities for new biotechnology materials and applications,
such as the creation of powerful DNA computers. These computers are
constructed using DNA as software and enzymes as hardware, rather
than traditional silicon-based components. By mixing DNA and
enzymes in this way and monitoring the reactions, complex computer
calculations can be performed.
DNA molecules are similar to computer hard drives in the way
they save information about an individual's genes. However, they
have the potential to perform calculations much faster than today's
fastest man-made computers. This is because, unlike a traditional
computer, calculations are performed simultaneously - similar to a
parallel computing schematic - as numerous different DNA molecules
attempt to test various possibilities at once.
In addition, unlike today's PCs, DNA computers require minimal
or no external power sources as they run on internal energy
produced during cellular reactions. There is a huge amount of
potential for a computer that does not need to be plugged in the
implications this has for laptops and true mobility are
endless.
Because of these reasons, scientists all over the world are
looking for ways in which DNA may be integrated into a computer
chip to create a biochip that will make standard computers faster
and more energy efficient. DNA computers could potentially be the
future of
green
IT.
Although the idea of artificial DNA and DNA computers may seem
far fetched, the concept is entirely plausible if one keeps an open
mind: although DNA solutions may seem impossibly complex, there are
few people who actually understand how silicon-based computing
works. In addition, current systems are based on the binary system,
and DNA computers would be similar in nature: they could leverage
the pre-existing relationships between the four bases that are the
core of every DNA molecule.
However, the more sinister connotations of artificial DNA
computing - even though unfounded - remain fixed in users' minds.
Therefore, since the first concept of DNA computing came about in
1994, researchers have been trying to develop artificial versions
of DNA. Since the components of artificial DNA that have been
created by Inouye's team do not exist in natural DNA, it is nearly
impossible for them to react together, eliminating any threat of
mutation.
The discovery of artificial DNA by Inouye and the Japanese team
could be vital to the furthering of DNA computing as it would allow
researchers to build custom DNA structures, which are optimised for
computing. Unfortunately, the current method used for constructing
the DNA structures creates only short strands, which are not long
enough to encode information.
The technology for building artificial DNA is still extremely
new, however, and is only the first step (albeit a huge one)
towards using DNA as an external information storage system. DNA
computers will not be replacing today's standard PCs any time soon
as there are still years of research to be conducted before it can
be determined if this technology will be fruitful in computing.
That said, as DNA computing becomes more high profile, it may be
beneficial for hardware technology giants such as Apple, Dell, HP,
IBM, Intel and Sun Microsystems to invest in research that
emphasises artificial DNA and its potential applications.
Ultimately, DNA computers are still in their infancy, but, if
successful, will be capable of storing much more data than a
regular PC and would be considerably more energy efficient and
smaller in size. Given these huge benefits, investors should not
rule DNA computers out of their strategies purely because they seem
too implausible. Those vendors that participate in this
revolutionary research could be pioneers in the development of DNA
microprocessors and computers, if and when the technology is found
to be viable.
Ruchi Mallya is an analyst on
Datamonitor's Public
Sector Technology team, covering the life sciences. Her research
focuses on the use of technology in pharmaceuticals and
biotechnology
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