DNA Computer Rocks At Tick-Tac-Toe

Quote

Each well contains between 14 and 18 DNA logic gates. After a human player makes their move, MAYA-II responds through a DNA reaction. The strand outputted feeds into a series of other DNA logic gates that link the different wells. This results in a chemical reaction that generates a green fluorescent glow in the square MAYA-II selects as its next move. The strand also interacts with the remaining wells, priming them to respond appropriately to future moves. "MAYA-II moves bio-computation up to the next level of power," says Joanne Macdonald, a researcher at Columbia University, who helped build the system. "It's similar to the invention of the first microchips with hundreds of logic gates."