The Biological ComputerThe Biological ComputerFrom Enlightenment to Abomination?From Enlightenment to Abomination?

bybyLokesh MishraLokesh Mishra

CS BranchCS BranchS.P.M.I.TS.P.M.I.T

The First Biological The First Biological Computer?Computer?

► English Romantic novelist, biographer and editor, best known English Romantic novelist, biographer and editor, best known as the writer of FRANKENSTEIN, OR, THE MODERN as the writer of FRANKENSTEIN, OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS (1818). Mary Shelley was 21 when the book PROMETHEUS (1818). Mary Shelley was 21 when the book was published; she started to write it when she was 18. The was published; she started to write it when she was 18. The story deals with an ambitious young scientist. He creates life story deals with an ambitious young scientist. He creates life but then rejects his creation, a monster. but then rejects his creation, a monster.

Off Topic?Off Topic?

► While “FRANKENSTEIN, OR, THE MODERN While “FRANKENSTEIN, OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS (1818),” is science fiction. It PROMETHEUS (1818),” is science fiction. It seems to be founded on some science. The seems to be founded on some science. The human body does require some amount of human body does require some amount of electricity and along with the “body,” a brain, electricity and along with the “body,” a brain, or central processor, to mange the many or central processor, to mange the many processes it’s been programmed to run. So, it processes it’s been programmed to run. So, it is conceivable that in theory albeit very is conceivable that in theory albeit very simplistic terms, the human body can be simplistic terms, the human body can be automated with sufficient power and a brain automated with sufficient power and a brain to carry out instructions.to carry out instructions.

The Computer TodayThe Computer Today

► Technically, a computer is a programmable Technically, a computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. Today, however, new instructions that it is given. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to the the term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most people desktop and laptop computers that most people use. When referring to a desktop model, the use. When referring to a desktop model, the term "computer" technically only refers to the term "computer" technically only refers to the computer itself -- not the monitor, keyboard, and computer itself -- not the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Still, it is acceptable to refer to mouse. Still, it is acceptable to refer to everything together as the computer. If you want everything together as the computer. If you want to be really technical, the box that holds the to be really technical, the box that holds the computer is called the "system unit." computer is called the "system unit."

Biological Computers TodayBiological Computers Today

► A computer made of neurons taken from leeches has been created A computer made of neurons taken from leeches has been created by US scientists. At the moment, the device can perform simple sums by US scientists. At the moment, the device can perform simple sums - the team calls the novel calculator the "leech-ulator". - the team calls the novel calculator the "leech-ulator".

► But their aim is to devise a new generation of fast and flexible But their aim is to devise a new generation of fast and flexible computers that can work out for themselves how to solve a problem, computers that can work out for themselves how to solve a problem, rather than having to be told exactly what to do. rather than having to be told exactly what to do.

► Professor Bill Ditto, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is leading Professor Bill Ditto, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is leading the project and says he is amazed that today's computers are still so the project and says he is amazed that today's computers are still so dumb. dumb.

► "Ordinary computers need absolutely correct information every time "Ordinary computers need absolutely correct information every time to come to the right answer," he says. "We hope a biological to come to the right answer," he says. "We hope a biological computer will come to the correct answer based on partial computer will come to the correct answer based on partial information, by filling in the gaps itself." information, by filling in the gaps itself."

Medical ApplicationsMedical Applications► Scientists developed tiny implantable Scientists developed tiny implantable

biocomputersbiocomputers

► Molecular devices’ remarkably precise scans of Molecular devices’ remarkably precise scans of cellular activity could revolutionize medicinecellular activity could revolutionize medicine

► Researchers at Harvard and Princeton universities Researchers at Harvard and Princeton universities have taken a crucial step toward building have taken a crucial step toward building biological computers, tiny implantable devices biological computers, tiny implantable devices that can monitor the activities and characteristics that can monitor the activities and characteristics of human cells. The information provided by these of human cells. The information provided by these “molecular doctors,” constructed entirely of DNA, “molecular doctors,” constructed entirely of DNA, RNA, and proteins, could eventually revolutionize RNA, and proteins, could eventually revolutionize medicine by directing therapies only to diseased medicine by directing therapies only to diseased cells or tissues.cells or tissues.

Biological computer diagnoses Biological computer diagnoses cancer and produces drug – in a cancer and produces drug – in a

test tubetest tube► Weizmann Institute scientist’s vision: Microscopic computers will function Weizmann Institute scientist’s vision: Microscopic computers will function

inside living tissues, performing diagnosis and administering treatment.inside living tissues, performing diagnosis and administering treatment.► The world's smallest computer (around a trillion in a drop of water) might one day go The world's smallest computer (around a trillion in a drop of water) might one day go

on record again as the tiniest medical kit. Made entirely of biological molecules, this on record again as the tiniest medical kit. Made entirely of biological molecules, this computer was successfully programmed to identify (in a test tube) changes in the computer was successfully programmed to identify (in a test tube) changes in the balance of molecules in the body that indicate the presence of certain cancers, to balance of molecules in the body that indicate the presence of certain cancers, to diagnose the type of cancer, and to react by producing a drug molecule to fight the diagnose the type of cancer, and to react by producing a drug molecule to fight the cancer cells. cancer cells.

► As in previous biological computers produced in Shapiro's lab, input, output and As in previous biological computers produced in Shapiro's lab, input, output and "software" are all composed of DNA, the material of genes, while DNA-manipulating "software" are all composed of DNA, the material of genes, while DNA-manipulating enzymes are used as "hardware." The newest version's input apparatus is designed to enzymes are used as "hardware." The newest version's input apparatus is designed to assess concentrations of specific RNA molecules, which may be overproduced or under assess concentrations of specific RNA molecules, which may be overproduced or under produced, depending on the type of cancer. Using pre-programmed medical produced, depending on the type of cancer. Using pre-programmed medical knowledge, the computer then makes its diagnosis based on the detected RNA levels. knowledge, the computer then makes its diagnosis based on the detected RNA levels. In response to a cancer diagnosis, the output unit of the computer can initiate the In response to a cancer diagnosis, the output unit of the computer can initiate the controlled release of a single-stranded DNA molecule that is known to interfere with controlled release of a single-stranded DNA molecule that is known to interfere with the cancer cell's activities, causing it to self-destruct. the cancer cell's activities, causing it to self-destruct.

► In one series of test-tube experiments, the team programmed the computer to identify In one series of test-tube experiments, the team programmed the computer to identify RNA molecules that indicate the presence of prostate cancer and, following a correct RNA molecules that indicate the presence of prostate cancer and, following a correct diagnosis, to release the short DNA strands designed to kill cancer cells. Similarly, they diagnosis, to release the short DNA strands designed to kill cancer cells. Similarly, they were able to identify, in the test tube, the signs of one form of lung cancer. One day in were able to identify, in the test tube, the signs of one form of lung cancer. One day in the future, they hope to create a "doctor in a cell", which will be able to operate inside the future, they hope to create a "doctor in a cell", which will be able to operate inside a living body, spot disease and apply the necessary treatment before external a living body, spot disease and apply the necessary treatment before external symptoms even appear.symptoms even appear.

Risk-Benefit Analysis: Animated Risk-Benefit Analysis: Animated CorpseCorpse

► The idea of animating a corpse as in Mary’s The idea of animating a corpse as in Mary’s Shelly’s tale. Assuming it can even be done. Shelly’s tale. Assuming it can even be done. Benefits: Understanding the mechanics of Benefits: Understanding the mechanics of the human physiology in a new way. the human physiology in a new way.

► Risks: The general consensus might Risks: The general consensus might consider the idea or practice inhuman. Who consider the idea or practice inhuman. Who would volunteer his/her body? How long would volunteer his/her body? How long would these subjects be kept “alive.” The would these subjects be kept “alive.” The practice would enrage certain pro-life or pro-practice would enrage certain pro-life or pro-dead groups.dead groups.

►DQ would be LOWDQ would be LOW

Risk-Benefit Analysis: Bilogical Risk-Benefit Analysis: Bilogical Computer for Medical or Scientific Computer for Medical or Scientific

AdvancementAdvancement► Tiny “doctors” monitoring diseases within Tiny “doctors” monitoring diseases within

patients and administering the correct patients and administering the correct medicines in correct doses.medicines in correct doses.

► Tiny computers: cheap to “manufacture.” Tiny computers: cheap to “manufacture.” Able to run BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of Able to run BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of calculations. calculations.

► Risks: Technology is it’s infancy. Will take Risks: Technology is it’s infancy. Will take some time to mature. Potential to save lives some time to mature. Potential to save lives and offer a better quality of life is high.and offer a better quality of life is high.

►DQ would be HIGH.DQ would be HIGH.

ReferencesReferences► Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851) - original surname GodwinMary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851) - original surname Godwin

http://http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mshelley.htmwww.kirjasto.sci.fi/mshelley.htm

Definition of ComputerDefinition of Computer

http://www.techterms.com/definition/computerhttp://www.techterms.com/definition/computer

► Sci/TechSci/Tech Biological computer bornBiological computer born

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/358822.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/358822.stm

► In a first, scientists develop tiny implantable biocomputersIn a first, scientists develop tiny implantable biocomputers

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/05.24/99-biocomputer.htmlhttp://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/05.24/99-biocomputer.html

► Biological computer diagnoses cancer and produces drug – in a test Biological computer diagnoses cancer and produces drug – in a test tubetube

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-04/wi-bcd042604.phphttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-04/wi-bcd042604.php