From the Daily Telegraph

Medical hopes for tiny DNA computer
By Roger Highfield
(Filed: 25/02/2003)

Fifty years after the discovery of the structure of DNA, a computing machine composed solely of DNA molecules and enzymes has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the smallest biological computing device.

Around 60 trillion of these devices could fit in a teardrop. In terms of speed and size, DNA computers may eventually surpass computers that use silicon microchips and could find uses in medicine. The research, conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Weizmann's Prof Ehud Shapiro made headlines a year ago for devising a programmable molecular computing machine composed of enzymes and DNA molecules.

His long-term aim is to make molecular computing devices that can work inside the body and operate as "doctors in a cell" to detect disease and direct drugs manufacture.

His long-term aim is to make molecular computing devices that can work inside the body and operate as "doctors in a cell." posted by Artaud

DNA is already performing this function, albeit without intervention from medical Doctors. As posted elsewhere (Talking to the Blob, Feb 23), doctors of another ilk discovered the computational/informational capacity of DNA long before quantum mechanics or cybernetics wandered onto the field.

The fact that these "doctors" have no "education," live in relative (to, say, CNN)isolation in the jungles of Amazonia or the steppes of Siberia, and speak a vernacular undecipherable to rational minded, linear thinking Homo Erectus Asphaltus, makes the "matter" that much more fun.

For binary computational wizardry, nothing compares to DNA (except, of course, photons). The question is HOW did DNA pop into existence?

["Decay is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence." The Buddha's last words.]