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Pathways to cellular supremacy in biocomputing

Author

Listed:
  • Lewis Grozinger

    (Newcastle University)

  • Martyn Amos

    (Northumbria University)

  • Thomas E. Gorochowski

    (University of Bristol
    University of Bristol)

  • Pablo Carbonell

    (Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, University of Manchester)

  • Diego A. Oyarzún

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Edinburgh)

  • Ruud Stoof

    (Newcastle University)

  • Harold Fellermann

    (Newcastle University)

  • Paolo Zuliani

    (Newcastle University)

  • Huseyin Tas

    (Centro Nacional de Biotecnologí­a (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco)

  • Angel Goñi-Moreno

    (Newcastle University)

Abstract

Synthetic biology uses living cells as the substrate for performing human-defined computations. Many current implementations of cellular computing are based on the “genetic circuit” metaphor, an approximation of the operation of silicon-based computers. Although this conceptual mapping has been relatively successful, we argue that it fundamentally limits the types of computation that may be engineered inside the cell, and fails to exploit the rich and diverse functionality available in natural living systems. We propose the notion of “cellular supremacy” to focus attention on domains in which biocomputing might offer superior performance over traditional computers. We consider potential pathways toward cellular supremacy, and suggest application areas in which it may be found.

Suggested Citation

  • Lewis Grozinger & Martyn Amos & Thomas E. Gorochowski & Pablo Carbonell & Diego A. Oyarzún & Ruud Stoof & Harold Fellermann & Paolo Zuliani & Huseyin Tas & Angel Goñi-Moreno, 2019. "Pathways to cellular supremacy in biocomputing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13232-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13232-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Gao & Yuchen Zhou & Xudong Ji & Austin J. Graham & Christopher M. Dundas & Ismar E. Miniel Mahfoud & Bailey M. Tibbett & Benjamin Tan & Gina Partipilo & Ananth Dodabalapur & Jonathan Rivnay & Ben, 2024. "A hybrid transistor with transcriptionally controlled computation and plasticity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Ahmed A. Agiza & Kady Oakley & Jacob K. Rosenstein & Brenda M. Rubenstein & Eunsuk Kim & Marc Riedel & Sherief Reda, 2023. "Digital circuits and neural networks based on acid-base chemistry implemented by robotic fluid handling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. John P. Marken & Richard M. Murray, 2023. "Addressable and adaptable intercellular communication via DNA messaging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Judee A. Sharon & Chelsea Dasrath & Aiden Fujiwara & Alessandro Snyder & Mace Blank & Sam O’Brien & Lauren M. Aufdembrink & Aaron E. Engelhart & Katarzyna P. Adamala, 2023. "Trumpet is an operating system for simple and robust cell-free biocomputing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Alex J. H. Fedorec & Neythen J. Treloar & Ke Yan Wen & Linda Dekker & Qing Hsuan Ong & Gabija Jurkeviciute & Enbo Lyu & Jack W. Rutter & Kathleen J. Y. Zhang & Luca Rosa & Alexey Zaikin & Chris P. Bar, 2024. "Emergent digital bio-computation through spatial diffusion and engineered bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Yuanli Gao & Lei Wang & Baojun Wang, 2023. "Customizing cellular signal processing by synthetic multi-level regulatory circuits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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