A SURFACE-BASED APPROACH TO DNA COMPUTATION

A scalable approach to DNA-based computations is described. Complex co mbinatorial mixtures of DNA molecules encoding all possible answers to a computational problem are synthesized and attached to the surface o f a solid support. This set of molecules is queried in successive MARK (hybridization) and DESTROY (enzymatic digestion) operations. Determi nation of the sequence of the DNA molecules remaining on the surface a fter completion of these operations yields the answer to the computati onal problem. Experimental demonstrations of aspects of the strategy a re presented.