DNA Computing Breakthrough Could Turn Living Cells Into Working Blockchains
Scientists have built a DNA computer capable of playing chess.
Scientists have built a DNA computer capable of playing chess.
DNA Computing Breakthrough Could Turn Living Cells Into Working BlockchainsNews
In the not-too-distant future, we may run entire computer networks inside living cells, thanks to a recent breakthrough in molecular computing from scientists in the United States.
According to a study published on August 22, a team of scientists at North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University successfully built a working DNA computer.
As Cointelegraph previously reported, DNA storage has been around for some time. But this may be the world's first molecular computer capable of performing both storage and computation through DNA — rather than using electricity like conventional desktops and smartphones.
In tests, the DNA-based computer solved sudoku puzzles and chess problems, demonstrating its potential.
DNA Computing
Most molecular computers are developed using synthetic DNA. So for now, there is little chance we'll see any practical applications for deploying them inside living organisms.
Scientifically, however, nothing stops a well-funded and motivated team from using the framework established in that research to build computational systems inside the living cells of an organism.
With future development and scaling, a network of DNA-based computers inside a single organism could even become possible.
Living Blockchains
The basic principle behind integrating a blockchain into the human body would mirror how blockchain networks operate in classical computing. Different cells within a person's body would function as validator nodes for any transactions occurring on the cellular blockchain.
For example, it may be possible to build a cellular blockchain network inside a specific organ — such as the heart or liver — to validate function and verify cellular integrity.
This may be far-off technology that currently lies beyond humanity's reach, but the landmark research published recently appears to have brought it within the realm of possibility.