Droplet network connected by biological nanopores for DNA computing

This paper experimentally describes formation of lipid-coated droplet network and demonstrates a biological NAND logic gate using this network and DNA. Droplets which compose this network are comparted by bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) and connected via biological nanopores of membrane proteins, which ssDNA passes through. In the geometry of the droplet network, four droplets were placed at the corners and the center of an equilateral triangle. Inputs corresponded to the DNA translocation via biological nanopores from the two droplets at the corners (#1 and 2 in Fig. 1) to the center (#3 in Fig. 1), which can be controlled by the applied electrical fields between the droplets. Output was determined by whether DNA translocation occurred through nanopores between the center (#3 in Fig. 1) and the other corner droplet (#4 in Fig. 1). We believe that this system enables direct connection between electrical systems and computing with biomolecules.