The logic devices for biomolecular computing: Progress, strategies, and future directions

Nucleic acid-based programmable devices connect the fields of computation and biology. The synthesis, stability, and molecular hybridization are paramount data storage capabilities of DNA. This potential could lead to the development of biological devices. The integration of environment-sensitive logic circuits could resemble the systematic molecular evolution within living systems. The living cells inherently respond to environmental stimuli, with proteins playing a central role by acting as extracellular entity receptors. Although semiconductors have led unparalleled advances in logic devices, they exhibit limitations when assessing living cell parameters. Novel approaches are emerging to counter these limitations, such as using chemical molecules as microenvironment sensing computational agents. The intersection of biology and computation is marked by rapid molecular evolution. A plethora of devices, ranging from sensors and diagnostic tools to therapeutic agents, is now available, each hinting at the vast possibilities in smart biotechnology. This review offers an extensive summary of the most recent progress in biomolecular logic devices, intending to give researchers an insight into the current state of the field as well as mapping out directions for future logic device research. The emphasis on the promise and potential of nanomaterials interface with DNA, nucleic acid and protein to shape the future of computational logic devices underscores the importance of ongoing exploration and innovation in the field of bio-computing systems.