| Title | Why cellular computations challenge our design principles. |
|---|---|
| Authors | Grozinger, Lewis; Cuevas-ZuvirÃa, Bruno; Goñi-Moreno, Ãngel |
| Journal | Seminars in cell & developmental biology |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.semcdb.2025.103616 |
| Abstract | Biological systems inherently perform computations, inspiring synthetic biologists to engineer biological systems capable of executing predefined computational functions for diverse applications. Typically, this involves applying principles from the design of conventional silicon-based computers to create novel biological systems, such as genetic Boolean gates and circuits. However, the natural evolution of biological computation has not adhered to these principles, and this distinction warrants careful consideration. Here, we explore several concepts connecting computational theory, living cells, and computers, which may offer insights into the development of increasingly sophisticated biological computations. While conventional computers approach theoretical limits, solving nearly all problems that are computationally solvable, biological computers have the opportunity to outperform them in specific niches and problem domains. Crucially, biocomputation does not necessarily need to scale to rival or replicate the capabilities of electronic computation. Rather, efforts to re-engineer biology must recognise that life has evolved and optimised itself to solve specific problems using its own principles. Consequently, intelligently designed cellular computations will diverge from traditional computing in both implementation and application. |
See more Silicon products. Silicon (atomic symbol: Si, atomic number: 14) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 3 element with an atomic weight of 28.085.
The number of electrons in each of Silicon's shells is 2, 8, 4 and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p2. The silicon atom has a radius of 111 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 210 pm. Silicon was discovered and first isolated by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1823. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust, by weight, and is the second most abundant element, exceeded only by oxygen. The metalloid is rarely found in pure crystal form and is usually produced from the iron-silicon alloy ferrosilicon.
Silica (orsilicon dioxide), as sand, is a principal ingredient of glass, one of the most inexpensive of materials with excellent mechanical, optical, thermal, and electrical properties.Ultra high purity silicon can be doped withboron,gallium, phosphorus, orarsenic to produce silicon for use in transistors,solar cells, rectifiers, and other solid-state devices which are used extensively in theelectronics industry.The name Silicon originates from the Latin wordsilex which means flint or hard stone.