Nucleic Acid Based Logical Systems

Abstract

Researchers increasingly visualize a significant role for artificial biochemical logical systems in biological engineering, much like digital logic circuits in electrical engineering. Those logical systems could be utilized as a type of servomechanism to control nanodevices in vitro, monitor chemical reactions in situ, or regulate gene expression in vivo. Nucleic acids (NA), as carriers of genetic information with well-regulated and predictable structures, are promising materials for the design and engineering of biochemical circuits. A number of logical devices based on nucleic acids (NA) have been designed to handle various processes for technological or biotechnological purposes. This article focuses on the most recent and important developments in NA-based logical devices and their evolution from in vitro, through cellular, even towards in vivo biological applications.

A label-free and enzyme-free system for operating various logic devices using poly(thymine)-templated CuNPs and SYBR Green I as signal transducers

“…(1) The label-free and enzyme-free platforms mean easy operation and low cost. (2) All of the logic devices described in present investigation share the same threshold values for fluorescent output responses, CuNPs and SG. (3) PolyT-templated CuNPs, as a novel fluorescent signal reporter, are successfully applied to fabricate advanced logic devices for the first time.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Different from silicon-based computing, molecular computing operates its functions through chemical or biochemical means. A suitable molecule which can perform computations individually, with advantages like exponential high-performance and an easily controllable size, has been demonstrated promising applications for constructing logic gates.…”

In Situ Amplification‐Based Imaging of RNA in Living Cells

“…[63,68,[89][90][91] In 2015, the Tangroup reported the first example of ad esigned catalytic assembly circuit reaction for in situ amplification-based imaging of RNAi nside living cells,t his circuit reaction was rationally named as ah airpin DNAc ascade amplifier (HDCA) ( Figure 3A). [63,68,[89][90][91] In 2015, the Tangroup reported the first example of ad esigned catalytic assembly circuit reaction for in situ amplification-based imaging of RNAi nside living cells,t his circuit reaction was rationally named as ah airpin DNAc ascade amplifier (HDCA) ( Figure 3A).…”

A survey of advancements in nucleic acid-based logic gates and computing for applications in biotechnology and biomedicine

“…1 However, considering the complex environment of a biological system, a successful design in buffer system may have totally different results when applied in vivo, usually failing because of the unstable nature of nucleic acids, the lack of robustness of the designed hybridization reaction, or vulnerability of nucleic acids when exposed to enzymatic digestion. 1 Scientists worldwide are trying to solve these problems. The effort includes those working on modifications of existing natural DNA, such as phosphorothioate replacing DNA, 80 locked DNA (LNA), 81, 82 2’-site-modified nucleic acids, 83, 84 or enantiomers of natural DNA.…”

“…At the same time, however, the capabilities of traditional silicon chips are becoming increasingly limited. 1 This has only prompted researchers to explore alternatives to semiconductor-based computational systems, even at the molecular level. Molecules can be rationally designed, synthesized, and further integrated into Boolean operations, providing unprecedented potential for developing the basic components of molecular computing devices.…”