May 22, 2007
Implantable Biocomputers
Researchers at Harvard and Princeton universities have taken a crucial step toward building biological computers, tiny implantable devices that can monitor the activities and characteristics of human cells. The information provided by these "molecular doctors," constructed entirely of DNA, RNA, and proteins, could eventually revolutionize medicine by directing therapies only to diseased cells or tissues
Published this week in the journal Nature Biotechnology, researchers describe that these biocomputers can translate complex cellular signatures, such as activities of multiple genes, into a readily observed output. They can even be programmed to automatically translate that output into a concrete action, such as labeling a cell for a clinician to treat or they could trigger therapeutic action themselves.
The scientists demonstrate in their Nature Biotechnology paper that biocomputers can work in human kidney cells in a culture. Research into the system’s ability to monitor and interact with intracellular cues such as mutations and abnormal gene levels is still in progress.
Each human cell already has all of the tools required to build these biocomputers on its own, What is needed is the a genetic blueprint of the machine and our own biology will do the rest. Our cells will literally build these biocomputers for us.
Posted by rsk at May 22, 2007 11:01 AM