Welcome! What’s the difference between a biocomputer and a regular computer? How does the process of performing operations with organic material actually work? Let’s explore some fascinating facts about biocomputing.
What is biocomputing?
Biocomputing refers to devices made with biological material that can carry out logical operations through biochemical processes.
What’s the difference between biocomputers and conventional computers?
While regular computers use chips to execute logical operations, biocomputers rely on biological compounds such as enzymes, proteins, and DNA. Isn’t it fascinating that these organic components can take on the same role as a chip?
So how does this process really work?
Enzymes function as computing units, DNA stores the data, and proteins handle the transmission of that data. Unlike the conventional binary system, DNA has four nucleotides (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine), which can be used to encode information in a stable way.
And what does this mean in terms of performance?
This system can handle a much larger amount of data and even perform multiple operations simultaneously.
Did you know that even algorithms used in conventional computers are inspired by biological processes? Concepts like recombination, variation, and selection are used to find more efficient solutions. For instance, genetic algorithms are modeled on natural evolution to improve results, while evolutionary strategies are refined through mutations. One example of evolutionary strategies in action is in AI models for complex problems such as behavior learning. This approach is highly effective but also requires careful fine-tuning of operators and parameters.
Sounds unbelievable?
It turns out that the company Finalspark has developed a system that allows remote access to a biocomputer to make biocomputing studies more accessible. It works like cloud computing, but instead of servers, you have a biocomputer running electrophysiological experiments. Their Neuroplatform allows tests to be carried out remotely on a biocomputer for over 100 days. Finalspark has more than 1,000 brain organoids, which are estimated to be able to encode the equivalent of over 18 terabytes of data. Brain organoids are mini-brains that can simulate certain functions of the human brain.
But how do they keep living tissue available to run the system 24/7?
Neural progenitors are kept in cryogenic liquid, thawed, cultured into neural stem cells, and expanded in T25 flasks. In orbital shakers, they differentiate in P6 plates. Afterwards, they are manually placed in a MEA (multi-electrode array). The MEA has 4 groups with 8 electrodes each, totaling 32 electrodes, and can host 4 organoids. Each organoid is placed on a group with a permeable membrane, enabling communication between the organoid and the electrodes, which translate the information.
How are biological processes used as algorithms, like genetic algorithms?
Stimuli trigger biological reactions that produce a compound, which can then be used as the result of an operation, for example, indicating the presence of a specific gene.
Did you know that today there are already biocomputers capable of analyzing the human genome? These algorithms can diagnose existing diseases and suggest treatments. Studies are also underway to use biocomputers to process vast amounts of variables and evaluate their impact on the environment.
Thanks to their ability to process enormous datasets and interpret the human genome, biocomputers are also being explored for cancer treatment, to create personalized plans based on a patient’s genetic data and even predict possible side effects. Research is also being done to enhance enzyme efficiency and protein production.
What are the advantages of biocomputers compared to normal computers?
They are far more energy-efficient and less harmful to the environment. To put it into perspective, the human brain has over 86 billion neurons and consumes only 20 watts.
And the downsides of biocomputing?
Since their algorithms depend on chemical processes, the environment can influence them and even cause failures. Handling biological compounds also requires specialized lab techniques. And while promising, biocomputers still don’t match the speed of chip-based computers.
Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University developed the first programmable biocomputer. In an experiment with 18 genetic samples, it successfully identified which ones were healthy and which were diseased in just 2 hours.
And here’s a fun fact: although it sounds like futuristic science fiction, research into this technology actually began back in the 1990s.
📚 Data source:
https://digitales-institut.de/der-aufstieg-des-biocomputers-eine-revolutionaere-technologie/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2024.1376042/full
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2024.1376042/full
https://finalspark.com/neuroplatform/
https://comunidad-biologica.com/logran-crear-mini-cerebros-humanos-con-vasos-sanguineos-reales/
https://jabde.com/2024/07/12/playing-doom-on-a-molecular-computer/
https://www.thestack.technology/scientists-make-dna-computer-breakthrough/
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