CAREER: Achieving a Universal Stored-Program DNA Computer with a Buffered Power Supply

DNA计算机可以在传统电子学之外运行程序，直接与材料集成，并实现对物理物质的化学控制。这项新技术有可能为不同的STEM领域带来革命性的变化，其应用领域包括智能医学和纳米制造。然而，目前的DNA计算机电路有几个关键的限制。大多数现有电路的能量仅够完成一轮计算。此外，目前的DNA电路是硬编码的，以执行单一任务。开发每个新项目都需要建造一条全新的电路，这可能需要数年时间。该项目旨在通过开发一种强大的、高功率的、易于编程的通用DNA计算机来解决这些限制，以便执行任何任务。此外，该项目旨在将研究与教育相结合，以帮助发展DNA计算领域。在这方面，将编写第一本全面的分子编程教科书，以吸引新的研究人员，并将在伙伴大学创建试点课程，供学生学习分子编程。还将为早期职业研究人员搭建一座桥梁，将化学计算技术从学术界转移到行业，培养更多样化、更具创造力和创新的工程劳动力。该项目的重点是创建：(1)坚固的DNA电路，能够运行极高浓度的反应，并减少目标外活动；(2)高能DNA电路，其化学电源能够维持多达100个循环的化学计算；(3)顺序DNA逻辑电路；以及(4)能够执行存储在化学存储器中的软件指令的通用DNA计算机，而底层的化学硬件可以保持不变。该项目代表了化学计算的范式转变，能够以持续的动态构建DNA电路，同时通过将设计化学硬件的任务与编写化学软件的任务分开来简化编程。该项目的成功完成将使高浓度DNA计算的新研究领域成为可能，包括构建触发器、健壮振荡器和通用存储程序硬件等基本电路，极大地简化DNA计算机编程和面向可编程问题的构建任务。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

DNA computers can run programs outside of traditional electronics, integrating directly with materials, and enabling chemical control over physical matter. This novel technology has the potential to revolutionize diverse STEM fields, with applications such as intelligent medicine and nanofabrication. However, current DNA computer circuits have several key limitations. Most existing circuits have only enough energy to complete one round of computation. Additionally, current DNA circuits are hardcoded to perform a single task. Developing each new program requires constructing an entirely new circuit, which can take years. This project aims to address these limitations by developing a robust, high-power, easily programable, universal DNA computer to execute any task. Additionally, this project aims to integrate research with education to help grow the field of DNA computing. In this regard, the first comprehensive textbook in molecular programming will be produced to attract new researchers and pilot coursework at partner universities will be created for students to learn about molecular programming. A bridge for early career researchers will also be built to transfer chemical computing technology from academia to industry, fostering a more diverse, creative, and innovative engineering workforce. This project focuses on creating: (1) A robust DNA circuit, capable of running extremely high concentration reactions with reduced off-target activity; (2) High-energy DNA circuits with a chemical power supply capable of sustaining up to a hundred cycles of chemical computation; (3) Sequential DNA logic circuits; and (4) A universal DNA computer capable of executing software instructions stored in chemical memory, while the underlying chemical hardware can remain constant. The project represents a paradigm shift in chemical computing, enabling construction of DNA circuits with sustained dynamics while simplifying programming by separating the tasks of designing chemical hardware from writing chemical software. Successful completion of this project will enable novel research areas in high-concentration DNA computing, including construction of fundamental circuits such as flip-flops, robust oscillators, and universal stored-program hardware, dramatically simplifying the task of programming DNA computers and building towards programmable matter.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.