Biologists collected the computer inside living cells

Scientists from the California Institute of Technology have created biokompyutery based on RNA, said MIT Review. The work of scientists published in the journal Science.

Computer scientists are composed of three main components: sensors, transmitters and executive elements. The former discover the presence of certain molecules in the cell type, the latter shall provide information about the discovery, and still run the production of special protein.

As a "working body", scientists have used live cells of yeast. The functional elements were collected within the various fragments of RNA molecules. The role played by sensors fragments of RNA aptamerov. The behavior of these molecules similar to the behavior of antibodies. If you find molecules substances to which they are, aptamery attached to it. The role of transmitters of information carried out "pieces" of RNA that are activated after the discovery of aptamerami desired molecules. The role of the executive elements played a so-called ribozimy - RNA molecules with catalytic effect.

In computers, researchers have been two types of sensors: one registered the presence of molecules in the cell tetracycline, and others - molecules theophylline. Using the remaining components, scientists gathered inside the cells simple logic devices. Some react only to the simultaneous presence of both types of molecules (logical multiplication), while others - the presence of at least one of two types (logical addition). The executive modules run formulation of a fluorescent protein in the cells.
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According to scientists, the new program will allow the opening of biological processes. As an example, researchers led possibility of creating a "smart" drugs that will attack only malicious viruses, without affecting other processes in cells.