Living Computers solve complex math problem

[Michaelangelica]

Is DNA the next computer language?

The mathematical problem imagines pancakes of varying sizes stacked in random order — each with a burnt side and a golden brown side. The solution requires using the minimum number of manipulations to stack the pancakes according to size, with their burnt sides all facedown. Each manipulation involves flipping one or more pancakes, reversing both their order and orientation.

This is why anyone should study maths?

Just grab the pancakes and arrange them how you want

How difficult can it be?

. . .comes up with an answer, everybody forgot the question.”

 

At that level of complexity, “bacteria could probably outperform a conventional computer at solving the problem,” said Haynes, the lead author of a new study suggesting exactly that.

 

Bacteria as tiny computers

Since 2000, multiple studies have focused on the largely untapped potential for bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells to be harnessed as tiny and abundant computers. “Ours is unique in that the operation required to solve the problem takes place in a living cell,” Haynes said.

 

The unique in vivo system takes advantage of the remarkable storage capacity of DNA and the efficiency of molecular . . .

Living computers solve complex math puzzle - Frontiers - MSNBC.com

[freeztar]

Interesting stuff!

 

This is why anyone should study maths?

 

Sure! :rolleyes:

[modest]

The mathematical problem imagines pancakes of varying sizes stacked in random order — each with a burnt side and a golden brown side. The solution requires using the minimum number of manipulations to stack the pancakes according to size, with their burnt sides all facedown. Each manipulation involves flipping one or more pancakes, reversing both their order and orientation.

This is why anyone should study maths?

Just grab the pancakes and arrange them how you want

How difficult can it be?

 

How difficult can it be? Humm... I don't know - Let's write an algorithm to find out :esmoking:

 

-modest

[Overdog]

Is DNA the next computer language?

 

Hmmm...interesting question. Is it the next, or was it the first? I suppose it depends on how you define what a computer is.

 

I suspect that as we learn more and more about biology and chemistry, the concepts we have of what a computer is will become increasingy complex and difficult to nail down.

 

There are also chemical computers,

 

Chemical computer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

And in the not to distant future I expect quantum computers will arrive on the scene. The Quantum computers are the most fascinating to me.

 

Quantum computer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

There is a LOT of research money going into developing the Quantum computer, for lots of reasons, including National Security. The Quantum Computer is one of those kinds of technologies that, when it actually becomes a functioning reality, you may never hear of it for years after the fact.