FOR KIDS: A switch for a living computer

FOR KIDS: A switch for a living computer

Scientists build a transistor from DNA

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: May 1, 2013

Scientists build a transistor from DNA

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: May 1, 2013

Enlarge

Genetic switch?

Scientists used DNA to build biological switches called transcriptors, which act like transistors found on computer chips.

Credit: iStockphoto

Computers are lifeless. They?re ordinarily built from metal, silicon, plastic and other materials. Those components work together to shuttle around the electricity needed to surf the Internet, watch videos or even do homework.

But why stick to the ordinary? Scientists are finding that computer parts can also be built from DNA. This long molecule contains genetic material and is found inside almost every living cell. It tells each cell which molecules to make. In March, researchers published a study that shows how DNA also can be used to build an important computer component, called a transistor.

Visit the new Science News for Kids website and read the full story: Scientists build a transistor from DNA

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Citations

M. Rosen. ?Biological transistor built for living computer.? Science News. April 2, 2013. [Go to]

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Suggested Reading

S. Ornes. ?DNA takes notes.? Science News for Kids. June 4, 2012. [Go to]

S. Ornes. ?Genetic memory.? Science News for Kids. Feb. 8, 2013. [Go to]

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/350061/title/FOR_KIDS_A_switch_for_a_living_computer

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