Production of complex microprocessors from biological logic gates

Researchers at Imperial College London, United Kingdom, can build bi-logic gates that will be used in complex digital biometric devices in the future. The team reprogrammed the E. Coli bacteria to perform a state transition (on or off) similar to the operation of logic gates found in computers and microprocessor.

"We are trying to set up a switching system that uses powerful and sensitive biological components that allow us to create AND and NOT gateways , " said Professor Martin Buck. .

"We took genetic components from a bacterium and controlled the expression of these genetic components very closely, so that the entire genetic system was dependent on only two states (on or off). off) is activated at the right time. "

The existence of biometric logic gates has been demonstrated, but the tendency is that biological logic gates will be assembled together to create more complex versions, paving the way for the design of microcontrollers. More complex biological treatment in the future.

In the future, researchers believe that biological logic gates would become basic building blocks, creating micro-biological computers.

"Future biometric devices will include sensors that are able to swim inside arteries, detect pathogens, and rapidly deliver specific drugs to affected areas. " , according to the researchers.

"One of the main obstacles now is: the description of biological components is not detailed enough, so it is not possible to assemble these biogas gates easily," said Buck.

"Biological components need to have characteristics that fit the context in which they are used," Buck added.