DNA Computing FAQ
Q: What are the prospects for building a large-scale DNA computer to solve classical computational problems (e.g. NP-complete problems) that are not solvable by electronic computers?
A: (Sept. 2000) After 6 years of research by the Laboratory for Molecular Science and other first rate laboratories around the world, I am left with the impression that DNA computers are unlikely to become stand-alone competitors for electronic computers. It is not impossible, but from where we are today (Jan. 2000), I believe it would require breakthroughs not incremental progress. We simply cannot, at this time, control molecules with the deftness that electrical engineers and physicists control electrons.
Q: So why work on DNA computers?
A: (Sept. 2000) There is an old proverb “It is not that the bear dances so well, it is that he dances at all”. When we started research on DNA computers, we needed to know just how well we could make them dance (i.e. compute) - we have now learned that it seems unlikely they can dance as well as electronic computers. So it is time to begin cutting back on that effort. Nonetheless, dance they did and this exciting many people. It made a few things clear:
1. (Minor) The DNA computer and the quantum computer illustrate that the existing methods for computation are not the only methods possible. Even if neither DNA computation nor quantum computation succeed, they may lay the foundation for discovering the true "computer of the future".
2. (major) Work on the DNA computer has led us through a door into (I am confident) a new area of research which is quite fertile and which will lead to exciting new discoveries (read the "molecular science manifesto").
Q: Where do I find more information and papers about DNA computing?
A: I find these web sites to be useful starting places:
http://www.wi.LeidenUniv.nl/~pier/dna.html
(A Bibliography of Molecular Computation and Splicing Systems)
http://members.aol.com/ibrandt/dna_computer.html
(Links to researchers and popular press articles)
http://dope.caltech.edu/winfree/DNA.html
(Erik Winfree’s site at Caltech)
Papers on DNA computation from the Laboratory for Molecular Science
Q: How do I join the DNA computing email list?
A: To join the molecular computing egroup (maintained by Martin Amos) and receive emails posted by members of the community (though I notice very few such postings over the last few years), use the following URLs and/or email addresses (Sorry, I do not know the exact procedure to use - but I am confident that, with the right amount of anguish, you can become a member of the group).
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