Molecular Computing: from conformational pattern recognition to complex processing networks

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Description/Abstract

Natural biomolecular systems process information in a rad- ically different manner than programmable machines. Conformational interactions, the basis of specificity and self-assembly, are of key impor- tance. A gedanken device is presented that illustrates how the fusion of information through conformational self-organization can serve to en- hance pattern processing at the cellular level. The device is used to high- fight general features of biomolecular information processing. We briefly outline a simulation system designed to address the manner in which conformational processing interacts with kinetic and higher level struc- tural dynamics in complex biochemical networks. Virtual models that capture features of biomolecular information processing can in some in- stances have artificial intelligence value in their own right and should serve as design tools for future computers built from real molecules.