Making DNA add

Science. 1996 Jul 12;273(5272):220-3. doi: 10.1126/science.273.5272.220.

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using DNA-based experiments to compute solutions to combinatorial problems. However, a prerequisite for designing a computer useful in a wide range of applications is the ability to perform mathematical calculations. The development of a DNA-based algorithm for addition is presented. The DNA representation of two nonnegative binary numbers is presented in a form permitting a chain of primer extension reactions to carry out the addition operation. To demonstrate the feasibility of this algorithm, a simple example was executed biochemically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Base Sequence
  • Computers*
  • DNA*
  • Mathematical Computing*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Templates, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA