Indian scientists create genetically modified bacteria capable of performing mathematical calculations

Genetic engineering efforts at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) in Calcutta have recently produced a type of bacteria capable of performing mathematical operations. This advance demonstrates that bacterial cells, when modified, can perform additions, subtractions and even identify prime numbers between 0 and 9. The Indian researchers’ work suggests a possible basis for the creation of biocomputers, devices that use living cells for calculation. This research could advance the integration of biological systems into computational science.

Evolution and emerging capabilities of bioinformatics

The study was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. The use of living cells for computational purposes has seen two decades of incremental progress. Initially, synthetic biology allowed scientists to develop cellular logic gates for fundamental operations such as “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT,” mimicking the functions of silicon processors, but at a much simpler level. By adjusting genetic networks in organisms like E. coli and yeast, researchers were able to prompt cells to perform additions and subtractions. However, the operations performed in these early studies remained basic in scope, not yet matching the complexity of modern digital processors.

Advances in bacterial calculus using neural network principles

In their current work, SINP scientists applied artificial neural network models to the genetic framework of E. coli bacteria, integrating 14 unique genetic circuits to form distinct bacterial types. These bacteria were placed in controlled liquid environments, where they could perform calculations, including determining whether numbers were prime. For example, when subjected to specific chemical stimuli, bacteria signal their responses by secreting proteins that indicate “yes” in green and “no” in red. This application of bacteria to solve more abstract problems, such as identifying prime numbers, represents a first in biological computing.

Implications for future research

According to Mohit Kumar Jolly, an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, said the study could provide insight into the decision-making capabilities of cells, a process that remains to be understood. The results open new avenues in the study of biological information processing and reveal untapped potential for living cells in computational applications. This work by SINP researchers could well redefine the scope of computing, revealing the potential of bacteria as a biological computing medium.