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Honestly, I expected this to be empty hype, but reading through the press release it's genuinely impressive.

"The study’s approach resulted in a genetically encodable RNA nano-device that can perform an unprecedented 12-input logic operation to accurately regulate the expression of a fluorescent reporter protein in E. coli bacteria only when encountering a complex, user-prescribed profile of intra-cellular stimuli. Such programmable nano-devices may allow researchers to construct more sophisticated synthetic biological circuits, enabling them to analyze complex cellular environments efficiently and to respond accurately."



https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151216151617.h...

Some earlier work in the area, it's just an AND gate, but it demonstrates an application.

Molecules A and B correlate with a psoriasis flare up, molecule C is a psoriasis medication. If A and B are present, the bacteria produces molecule C.


You don't even necessarily need a large number of logic gates; with just one NAND gate you can build a (extremely slow) Turing machine.




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