After years of hype surrounding DNA-based computing, the first game-playing DNA computer has been created by researchers at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico, New Scientist reports. It's not SpaceWar though (or the Game of Life, for that matter). In this game of DNA-powered Tic-Tac-Toe, the human player makes his or her mark by dropping DNA into 9 wells that make up the board. The one centimeter-square wells contain enzymes that form logic gates. A green biochemical glow reveals the computer's "move."
"The human player has nine types of DNA strand, each with a sequence specific to a particular square. To make a move, one type of strand is added to all the squares, as all must be aware of the choice. The DNA strands are the on-switch for the "deoxyribozyme" enzymes. The enzymes' output, when activated by the required DNA strand, is to snip apart molecules in the mixture, which produces the green glow."
