The interdisciplinary comprehension and use of mathematics and computing in science are essential for research and development. Mathematics aids in analyzing and visualizing patterns in data collected on computers, and allows for representation of scientific phenomena (Meredith et al., 2007). The use of math also allows for expanding existing ideas and discovering new ones. In the last three decades, the integration of math, computing, and genetics has allowed for advancement in the field of molecular computing and its associated technologies.
Molecular computing is the use of chemical reactions between molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in order to solve complex mathematical problems (Lee et al., 2021). At the base of the technology is complementary base pairing within DNA which enables the problem solving. A research team from Incheon National University in Korea recently developed a programable DNA-based microfluidic chip (Figure 1). Similar to electronic microchips, this DNA-based version is automated, and uses Boolean logic. Boolean logic is among one of the fundamental logics of computer science; it returns two possible states, true or false, in the answer to a mathematical question and develops a table to solve calculations, in this case using gel electrophoresis (Bhunia and Tehranipoor, 2019). The molecules of DNA used in the 3D printed microfluidic chip are single stranded in order to use other single strands of DNA as inputs (Lee et al., 2021). This means that in order for complex calculations to be completed, multiple reactions need to be performed where in each reaction single stranded DNA is paired with other different single stranded inputs to make double stranded DNA (Lee et al., 2021). To perform such calculations, the DNA-based microfluidic chip was designed to be controlled by a personal computer with an accompanying specialized application.
As a result of DNA molecules only being a few nanometers in length, a microchip with this molecule as its base has the ability to contain trillions of components and switches; this is far more than the traditional silicon-based technology that is currently in use (Liang et al., 2019). Further, this DNA-based technology uses less power than current electronics and would help to lower global energy consumption if this chip was developed further and became a market standard (Lee et al., 2021).
Mathematics is known as the language of the universe and its applications in science, especially in combination with computers, are endless. Without mathematics and computing, scientists would find it nearly impossible to further their understanding in almost every discipline. In combination with the genetic code that controls living organisms, mathematics allows for a myriad of new applications. Further, molecular computing is a relatively new field, but with advancements in technology and mathematics, this area will surely provide the world with new discoveries (Liang et al., 2019). Math forms the base for new ideas, computers provide the processing, genetics writes the biological code to which the ideas are applied, and together the three can change the scientific world.
References
Bhunia, S. and Tehranipoor, M., 2019. Chapter 2 – A Quick Overview of Electronic Hardware. In: Hardware Security. [online]. pp.23–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812477-2.00007-1.
Lee, W., Yu, M., Lim, D., Kang, T. and Song, Y., 2021. Programmable DNA-Based Boolean Logic Microfluidic Processing Unit. ACS Nano, 15(7), pp.11644–11654. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c02153.
Lee, W., Yu, M., Lim, D., Kang, T. and Song, Y., 2021. Image of Programmable DNA-Based Boolean Logic Microfluidic Processing Unit. [image online] Available at: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c02153. [Accessed 30 January 2022].
Liang, X., Zhu, W., Lv, Z. and Zou, Q., 2019. Molecular Computing and Bioinformatics. Molecules, 24(13), p.2358. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24132358.
Meredith, A., Rogers, P., Volkmann, M., Abell, S.K. and Park Rogers, M., 2007. Science and Mathematics-A Natural Connection. Science and Children, 45, pp.60–61.
Comments
5 Responses to “Mathematics + Genetics = Molecular Computing”
Hello everyone!
In the drug discovery project, we have been learning about different macromolecules, one of which is DNA. I decided to write my blog post on a topic that integrates DNA/genetics and another subject. I came across this recent development in molecular computing called a DNA-based microfluidic chip. The project brings together three fields: genetics, computer programming, and mathematics. I thought the idea was very interesting and I didn’t know that DNA could be used in such a manner! I hope you learn something too!
Happy reading,
– Aunika
Hi Aunika,
This was a really cool blog post! I loved how you integrated a bunch of different topics together but did so in a clear and logical way. You did a great job of explaining each component and seamlessly weaving from one idea/subject to the next. Great work. Here are a few notes to consider as you begin the editing process:
1. This may be a personal preference on my part, but it looks a bit odd with double spacing between paragraphs, consider single spacing.
2. If you could find an image to back up the post that would be great, maybe something regarding how the computer technology works (as explained in paragraph 2).
3. I love your last sentence and how you summarize each topic. However, it didn’t really feel like a conclusion to me, consider adding a line to sum up how the three work together (e.g., “and together the three can change the scientific world”).
Overall, this was a really great post. I would recommend reading through the entire piece aloud once more as there were a few sentences that tripped me up while reading, but otherwise it was a very thorough overview of the integration of mathematics, computing, and genetics. Great work and I can’t wait to see the final draft!
Happy editing,
Sarah
Hello Aunika,
Your blog post was excellent. It was well-written informative, and I appreciate the in-depth background research about math and computer science. I have a few suggestions that might help you in your editing process:
– In your first paragraph, you should say, “mathematics and computing in science are essential for research and development,” since you are talking about two topics.
– In your first paragraph, the third sentence should be written as, “The use of math allows for expanding existing ideas and discovering new ones,” as it flows better.
– I recommend adding an image or figure to make the post more engaging.
– In the last paragraph, I suggest rewording the second and third sentences to “without mathematics and computing, scientists would be nearly impossible to further their understanding and research in almost every discipline. In combination with the DNA code that controls living, breathing organisms, mathematics allows for a myriad of new applications.
This was a lovely piece; keep up the great work—best of luck in the editing process.
Best,
Jas
Hi Aunika,
Loved this blog post. I especially liked the depth you went into on the pairing of single stranded DNA in the microfluidic chip and on boolean logic. I just have a few ideas that you might want to incorporate into your post.
– In your second paragraph you write out deoxyribonucleic acid and then specify the short form (DNA), I appreciate the distinction but I don’t think it’s neccesary given you don’t mention any other nucleic acids in the post.
– In the fifth sentence of your second paragraph, I think you should remove the comma between ‘chip’ and ‘are.’ (The molecules of DNA used in the 3D printed microfluidic chip, are single stranded in order to use another single strand of DNA as inputs).
– In the third sentence of your second paragraph, I think you should remove the comma between ‘Korea’ and ‘recently’ (A research team from Incheon National University in Korea, recently developed a programable DNA-based microfluidic chip.)
– I was really interested in the boolean logic part of this post, but given the complexity of the concept I was a little lost. Maybe a figure visually showing what boolean logic is would be helpful
Thanks for this post! Can’t wait to read the final version!
Jonah
Hello everyone!
Thank you for reading and commenting on my post! I have included a figure and made some grammatical changes as per your suggestions. As well, I am not sure how the double spacing thing originally happened but it is now resolved!
Thank you,
-Aunika