{
  "id": 8461499,
  "title": "Researchers create DNA computer that performs 100-bit calculations without electricity — molecular system uses self-assembling strands to perform computing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/researchers-create-dna-computer-that-performs-100-bit-calculations",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-19T12:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/researchers-create-dna-computer-that-performs-100-bit-calculations-without-electricity-molecular-system-uses-self-assembling-strands-to-perform-computing"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers at Maynooth University in Ireland have developed a groundbreaking DNA molecular computer capable of performing complex calculations without relying on electricity. This innovative system, described in a Nature journal article published on September 16, is a significant advancement in the field of molecular computing. The Scaffolded DNA Computer (SDC) is designed using a technique called DNA origami, which involves mapping a long primary DNA strand with numerous shorter, custom-synthesized \"staple\" strands. When these strands are combined in a test tube containing water and salt and then subjected to heating and cooling cycles, they self-assemble into a sophisticated microscopic computing grid, with the long DNA strand serving as a structural scaffold.\n\nUnlike traditional silicon-based computers that rely on transistors to switch electrical currents between 1 and 0, this molecular computer uses the binding and unbinding of genetic base pairs (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) to process information. The researchers encode their programs directly into the DNA sequences before introducing them to the test tube and applying heat. The application of heat triggers chemical reactions that cause the DNA strands to reorganize, effectively solving the programmed algorithm as the molecules naturally seek their most stable structural configuration. The final structure of the DNA represents the mathematical answer to the computation.\n\nTo validate the system's capabilities, the researchers tested the DNA computer with 10 distinct molecular programs. It successfully executed complex 100-bit calculations, demonstrating its ability to handle intricate data processing with high accuracy and reliability—all without consuming any electricity. The absence of electrical requirements stems from the fact that the system operates on the principles of natural chemical reactions, which are governed by the laws of physics. This unique characteristic not only eliminates the need for error-correction software—typically required in traditional computing systems—but also opens up vast potential for future computing applications. For Ireland, where data centers consumed 23% of the country's electricity in 2025, this development could revolutionize energy-efficient computing and pave the way for molecular systems that could operate inside cells, offering promising solutions for disease detection and other medical applications.",
  "summary": "Maynooth University researchers built a scaffolded DNA computer that uses molecular reactions to perform arithmetic and 100-bit calculations without electrical power.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "Scientists build a DNA computer that can perform calculations in a drop of water",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/scientists-build-a-dna-computer-that-can-perform-calculations-in-a",
        "published": "2026-09-19T14:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}