The art of molecular computing: whence and whither

TL;DR

This review explores the evolution, key experiments, and diverse applications of molecular computing, highlighting its potential to solve complex problems and enable advanced nanostructures through engineered biomolecular circuits.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of molecular computation's development across three eras, emphasizing experimental milestones and future prospects.

Findings

Molecular circuits can perform complex computations like NP-hard problem solving.

Progression from simple solutions to complex networks demonstrates increasing computational capabilities.

Molecular computing has promising applications in nanotechnology and targeted delivery systems.

Abstract

An astonishingly diverse biomolecular circuitry orchestrates the functioning machinery underlying every living cell. These biomolecules and their circuits have been engineered not only for various industrial applications but also to perform other atypical functions that they were not evolved for - including computation. Various kinds of computational challenges, such as solving NP-complete problems with many variables, logical computation, neural network operations, and cryptography, have all been attempted through this unconventional computing paradigm. In this review, we highlight key experiments across three different eras of molecular computation, beginning with molecular solutions, transitioning to logic circuits and ultimately, more complex molecular networks. We also discuss a variety of applications of molecular computation, from solving NP-hard problems to self-assembled nanostructures for delivering molecules, and provide a glimpse into the exciting potential that molecular computing holds for the future.