Perspectives on CMOS-compatible biomolecular computing

Abstract

Biocomputing, i.e., performing calculations based on information processing in biological objects and their derivatives, has attracted increasing attention due to its unique capabilities for parallel processing of multiple inputs data of different nature. This approach is now being actively implemented in diagnostics and drug delivery. However, biomolecular circuits also offer a powerful tool for solving classical computational tasks using Boolean logic. Biocomputing was used to implement most logic gates and complex computational problems. Suggested solutions are typically developed in the natural environment for biomolecules, and only a few of them have been combined with electronic circuits. The combination of integrated electronic circuits and biocomputing may pave the way for a new type of computing system that enables massive parallelization of computations and scalable production of logic elements. Biocomputing integrated with CMOS-compatible technologies leverages the synergy of nanometer-scale devices and signal analyses principles assigned to biological molecules. In this review, we summarize recent advances in biocomputing based on molecular systems such as proteins and DNA integrated with nanoelectronics devices. We also discuss perspectives in CMOS-compatible biocomputing, spanning applications from medicine to information storage and processing.