Welcome! This website was created as part of a research project
for a seminar in Stanford University’s Sophomore College 2003. The
seminar, entitled The Intellectual Excitement of Computer Science, was
taught by Professor Eric Roberts of the Computer Science Department, and
President John Hennessy, current university president and professor of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Many thanks to both professors
for a wonderful seminar, and to the SAs, Linda and Doug for being so supportive.
Our topic is DNA Computing, an exciting new field where
scientists are exploring the computational power of biological molecules,
in particular Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid, the basic molecule of genetic
expression. Whereas a conventional computer represents information on
silicon chips as a series of zeroes and ones, and manipulates the information
by performing mathematical computations on them, a DNA computer represents
information as a pattern of molecules in a strand of DNA. That information
is manipulated by subjecting it to “precisely designed chemical
reactions that may mark the strand, lengthen it, or even destroy it”
(Kierman). The main purpose of our site is to look into the history and
theory behind DNA computing and evaluate its future potential. Enjoy the
demos and make sure to check out the links for more information!
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