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Automated Design and Programming of a Microfluidic DNA Computer

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Abstract

Previously, we described ways to implement the functions AND and OR in a DNA computer consisting of microreactors with attached heating elements that control annealing of DNA. Based on these findings, we have devised a similar device that can solve a satisfiability problem in any form. The device occupies linear space and operates in quadratic time, while a previously described competing device is built in quadratic space and operates in quadratic time or greater. Reducing the number of reactors in a DNA computer reduces the loss of DNA through binding to the surfaces of the system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA

    Michael S. Livstone & Laura F. Landweber

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA

    Ron Weiss

Authors
  1. Michael S. Livstone
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  2. Ron Weiss
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  3. Laura F. Landweber
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Correspondence to Laura F. Landweber.

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Livstone, M.S., Weiss, R. & Landweber, L.F. Automated Design and Programming of a Microfluidic DNA Computer. Nat Comput 5, 1–13 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-005-3803-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-005-3803-3

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