Programming Methods for DNA-Based Reaction–Diffusion Systems

Abstract

In this tutorial, recent development of pattern generation algorithms based on DNA computing will be overviewed. Natural pattern generation, especially in biological organisms, are often driven by spatio-temporal chemical reactions. Various reaction–diffusion systems have been proposed to generate artificial patterns out of DNA sequences. To program DNA reaction–diffusion systems, in addition to the design of the reaction, diffusion of each DNA species must be considered. This is realized by immobilizing or suppressing diffusion of DNA molecules in the reaction field. Here, several typical methods to build patterns by 1-D or 2-D reaction–diffusion systems are introduced and how to implement the system by DNA molecules is explained. The direction of future research and possible applications of this technology will be also discussed.