xiv Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 DNA structure and manipulation 6 2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2 The structure and manipulation of DNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.3 Operations on DNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2.3.1 Synthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.3.2 Denaturing, annealing and ligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.3.3 Hybridisation separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.3.4 Gel electrophoresis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.3.5 Primer extension and PCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 iii 2.3.6 Restriction enzymes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2.3.7 Cloning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2.4 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Chapter 3 Models of DNA computation 21 3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . ....

This paper introduces a new model of computation that employs the tools of molecular biology whose in vitro implementation is far more error-resistant than extant proposals. We describe an abstraction of the model which lends itself to natural algorithmic description, particularly for problems in the complexity class NP . In addition we describe a number of linear-time algorithms within our model, particularly for NP -complete problems. We describe an in vitro realisation of the model and conclude with a discussion of future work. 1 Introduction The idea that living cells and molecular complexes can be viewed as potential machinic components dates back to the late 1950s, when Richard Feynman delivered his famous paper [4] describing "sub-microscopic" computers. More recently, several papers [1, 10, 16] (also see [7, 13]) have advocated the realisation of massively parallel computation using the techniques and chemistry of molecular biology. Adleman describes how a computational...

This paper provides an overview of research developments toward nanometer-scale electronic switching devices for use in building ultra-densely integrated electronic computers. Specifically, two classes of alternatives to the field-effect transistor are considered: 1) quantum-effect and single-electron solid-state devices and 2) molecular electronic devices. A taxonomy of devices in each class is provided, operational principles are described and compared for the various types of devices, and the literature about each is surveyed. This information is presented in nonmathematical terms intended for a general, technically interested readership

RNA and protein molecules were found to be both templates for replication and specific catalysts for biochemical reactions. RNA molecules, although very difficult to obtain via plausible synthetic pathways under prebiotic conditions, are the only candidates for early replicons. Only they are obligatory templates for replication which can conserve mutations and propagate them to forthcoming generations. RNA based catalysts, called ribozymes, act with high efficiency and specificity on all classes of reactions involved in the interconversion of RNA molecules such as cleavage and template assisted ligation. The idea of an RNA world was conceived for a plausible prebiotic scenario of RNA molecules operating upon each other and constituting thereby a functional molecular organization. A theroretical account on molecular replication making precise the conditions under which one observes parabolic or exponential growth is presented. Exponential growth is observed in a protein assisted RNA wor...

1 Introduction In the past 40 years, the metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) has become the basic building block for almost all computing devices. The steady growth of their popularity is due to the steady shrinking of the feature size which at present has reached 0.1 micron. However, the laws of quantum mechanics and limitations of fabrication techniques may soon prevent the further decrease of feature size. Hence, researchers are investigating several alternatives to the transistor for ultra-dense circuitry. These new devices whose dimensions are on the order of tens of nanometers are called nano-devices and their science is termed nano-technology.

The effects of business practices, licensing, and intellectual property on development and dissemination of the polymerase chain reaction: case study