Abstract Synthetic biology uses living cells as the substrate for performing human-defined computations. Many current implementations of cellular computing are based on the “genetic circuit” metaphor, an approximation of the operation of silicon-based computers. Although this conceptual mapping has been relatively successful, we argue that it fundamentally limits the types of computation that may be engineered inside the cell, and fails to exploit the rich and diverse functionality available in natural living systems. We propose the notion of “cellular supremacy” to focus attention on domains in which biocomputing might offer superior performance over traditional computers. We consider potential pathways toward cellular supremacy, and suggest application areas in which it may be found.
Pathways to cellular supremacy in biocomputing / Grozinger, Lewis; Amos, Martyn; Gorochowski Thomas, E.; Carbonell, Pablo; Oyarzún Diego, A.; Stoof, Ruud; Fellermann, Harold; Zuliani, P; Tas, Huseyin; Goñi-Moreno, Angel. - In: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 2041-1723. - 18:9(2019), pp. 2551-2563. [10.1038/s41467-019-13232-z]
Pathways to cellular supremacy in biocomputing
Zuliani P;
2019
Abstract
Abstract Synthetic biology uses living cells as the substrate for performing human-defined computations. Many current implementations of cellular computing are based on the “genetic circuit” metaphor, an approximation of the operation of silicon-based computers. Although this conceptual mapping has been relatively successful, we argue that it fundamentally limits the types of computation that may be engineered inside the cell, and fails to exploit the rich and diverse functionality available in natural living systems. We propose the notion of “cellular supremacy” to focus attention on domains in which biocomputing might offer superior performance over traditional computers. We consider potential pathways toward cellular supremacy, and suggest application areas in which it may be found.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.