Live computer from bacteria

The “live” analog computer created by a group of scientists under the leadership of Karmella Haynes (Karmella Haynes), coped with the solution of the classical computing problem of “sorting pancakes” (Burnt Pancake Problem). In this task, it is required for the smallest number of operations (one or several neighboring pancakes to turn over) to sort by size a stack of pancakes with different sides (burnt and golden), and in such a way that all pancakes are turned upside down.

To solve this problem, scientists have created a computer from genetically modified E. coli bacteria (Escherichia coli). Plasmid DNA segments were used as pancakes. And for their "coup" is responsible recombinase Hin / hix, borrowed from the bacteria Salmonella typhimurium. After a coup (and if the segments line up in the correct order), Escherichia coli becomes resistant to antibiotics.

According to Carmella Haines, living computers have many advantages over conventional computers. Due to the fact that a single flask can contain several billion bacteria with several DNA used for calculations, such “bacterial computers” can work in parallel. That, in principle, can mean (conditionally, of course) that such computers can run faster. In addition, computers from bacteria can "repair" themselves and (wow!) Evolve in the process of repeated use.
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via Lenta.ru