Scalable DNA computing via microfluidics integration

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Many human diseases are reflected by changes in the concentrations of biomolecules found in our bodily fluids, such as saliva, urine, and blood. Therefore, the ability to measure these changes can improve the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. One major challenge is that existing technologies are bulky, expensive, and complex to use. In addition, the data generated from them require expertise to analyze and interpret. These constraints limit their broad accessibility to point-of-care such as local clinics, rural areas, and within patient homes. The overall goal of this project is to improve accessibility by developing "molecular computers". A molecular computer uses a set of engineered biomolecules to measure, analyze, and process information. Molecular computers consume biochemical power, have minimal size, and can directly interact with the biomolecules in patient samples. These advantages offer the potential to make biomolecular analysis more portable and accessible. Towards this goal, the specific objective of this proposal is to combine molecular computers made of DNA with a microfluidic device. The advantage of this integration is that it will enhance the overall computing power. Increasing the computing power is necessary to teach molecular computers to analyze more complex data, such as how different concentrations of multiple biomolecules correlate with disease states. Successful outcome offers a strategy to design next-generation molecular computers, which will improve not only biomolecular analysis, but other applications such as data encryption and storage.