Researchers at Maynooth University in Ireland have built a programmable DNA computer that performs calculations using billions of molecules in a drop of water. The system, called a Scaffolded DNA Computer, performs arithmetic without electricity or a continuous external energy supply. DNA molecules compete for binding sites on a molecular scaffold, and the energetically favorable binding outcome represents the answer [livescience.com][tomshardware.com]. The computer ran 10 molecular programs, including complex 100-bit calculations. Researchers designed the system with DNA origami software, which maps a long DNA strand into a scaffold that organizes shorter strands for computation [tomshardware.com]. Damien Woods of Maynooth University said the competitive binding process both selects the winning molecular configuration and processes information [livescience.com]. Highlights: • Tom's Hardware described the device as a “first-of-its-kind” DNA molecular computer [tomshardware.com]. Perspectives: Maynooth University researchers identified potential future applications in long-term data storage, low-energy computation and molecular systems that could operate inside cells to detect disease [tomshardware.com]. (Tom's Hardware) Sources: • Scientists build a DNA computer that can perform calculations in a drop of water - livescience.com • Scientists build a DNA computer that can perform calculations in a drop of water - Live Science - google.com • Researchers create DNA computer that performs 100-bit calculations without electricity — molecular system uses self-assembling strands to perform computing - tomshardware.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News