Biosynthetic Dual-Core Cell Computer tagged posts

A Biosynthetic Dual-Core Cell Computer

Based on digital examples, ETH researchers introduced two cores made of biological materials into human cells. (Graphic: Colourbox/Steven Emmett, ETH Zurich)

Researchers have integrated two CRISPR-Cas9-based core processors into human cells. This represents a huge step towards creating powerful biocomputers. Controlling gene expression through gene switches based on a model borrowed from the digital world has long been one of the primary objectives of synthetic biology. The digital technique uses what are known as logic gates to process input signals, creating circuits where, for example, output signal C is produced only when input signals A and B are simultaneously present.

To date, biotechnologists had attempted to build such digital circuits with the help of protein gene switches i...

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