Reactions: Attrition in science and noncanonical structures for DNA-based computers

Letters to the editor

Specify where attrition is

The title of the article “Many Researchers Leave Science within 5 Years” is misleading. The studies referenced in the article applied to academic careers. The title and the article itself should have made that clear.

Chris Erickson
Willard, Utah

Considering noncanonical DNA structures for a DNA-based computer

Computer chip makers are in a perpetual struggle to engineer the next generation of microprocessors. Currently used silicon-based microprocessors will soon reach their limits of memory, miniaturization, energy efficiency, speeds, and processing capabilities. Chip manufacturers need to find a new material to fabricate future microchips. It seems that DNA might become that material. DNA computer-based research is still a long way from being perfected; however, the double-stranded (ds) DNA molecule is able to store billions of times the data that present-day computers can. DNA computing research employs the principles of molecular biology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology. The goal of DNA computing is to build a device that can store large amounts of data and perform complex processing routines.

Albert Keung’s lab has brilliantly succeeded in allowing DNA-based computer research to evolve closer toward a DNA computer chip by using a polymer that immobilizes DNA, thereby enhancing DNA computing features (C&EN, Sept. 9, 2024, page 4). I believe that DNA-based computing will reach its optimal potential only when it goes beyond the conventional Watson and Crick canonical right-handed ds-B-DNA structure. DNA-based computer chip research needs to incorporate alternative and multistranded DNA molecules into its R&D to maximize next-generation microelectronics. Alternative DNA structures, such as left-handed Z-DNA, hairpin DNA, cruciform DNA, slipped-stranded DNA, parallel-stranded DNA, unpaired DNA, mirror-repeat DNA, palindrome DNA, and folded slipped DNA, need to be used. The vision for this next generation of computer chips also has to take advantage of the plethora of multistranded DNAs, such as triplex DNA and quadruplex DNA, as a replacement for traditional silicon computer chips. All these different types of noncanonical DNAs are involved in controlling gene expression in living organisms. These structures can also undergo helical transitions that might enhance the power of the chip. It should be noted, though, that pentaplex DNA has been synthesized by researchers. DNA origami must also be used in DNA chip R&D, as it results in DNA self-assembly of 2- and 3D DNA shapes. All these noncanonical DNA structures and multidimensional shapes could be the basis for DNA-based computer chips with increased integrated circuit diversity and surface distribution capabilities. The result would be more novel, complex storage and processing devices that would yield faster, more efficient, and cheaper computers. Scientists need to think beyond traditional ds-B-DNA and explore the benefits of these exotic and unusual DNA structures in the engineering of bioelectronics.

Claude Gagna
Bronxville, New York