Difference Between Bacterial Computing and Computers

Differences Computers Digital Electronics

The technological revolution has caused computers to literally evolve. It would appear that computers have taken over every aspect of our lives. There have been other non-economic factors in the past that have contributed to the computer's rise to prominence. While the primary function of early computers was calculation, this is now the least essential function of modern computers. Electronic digital computers were first developed for the sole purpose of solving equations. In order to get more done in less time, humans drove the development of computers. As the IT industry is concerned about the rise of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, biologists are abandoning desktop PCs and laptops in favour of more advanced technologies.

Genetically modified bacteria that can conduct calculation work like a computer have been produced by certain scientists as the world draws closer and closer to the integration of technology into every area of existence. By the use of plasmids for efficient communication, these computers are able to complete complex computational operations. Bacteria may now be genetically modified using cutting-edge molecular methods. DNA molecules can be transferred from one cell to another via conjugation. The current generation of bacterial computer models is tailored to address the needs of a narrow range of biological tasks, such as the detection of bacterial signal pathways.

What is Bacterial Computing?

Synthetic biology includes the notion of "bacterial computing," which is based on the fact that live organisms can adapt to their surroundings. Bacterial computing aims to construct computers made of bacteria in order to use them to work out difficult mathematical puzzles. Bacteria have a highly developed cellular structure that contributes to their peculiar biology and virulence. They can adjust to new situations and venture into unknown territories. Bacteria may now be genetically modified using cutting-edge molecular methods.

For a long time, researchers have tried to figure out how to turn cells into minicomputers. Bacterial computing has a lot going for it, and one of those things is that bacteria are relatively inexpensive to produce. The term "bacterial computing" was invented with the express goal of developing biological machines to address pressing issues in engineering and research. Computing models of bacteria, like those of DNA and membranes, are examples of bio- computing.

What are Computers?

The term "computer" originally referred to a person who performed mathematical or arithmetic calculations. Up to the middle of the twentieth century, there was little change to the definition of computer. In 1945, the name started appearing on computers. The initial purpose of computers was computation, which is defined as the "solution of complicated mathematical problems" in the current lexicon. The first purpose of computers was calculation.

Computing devices may be categorized in a variety of ways, including the technology they were built with, the working principle they employ, and whether or not they were created to handle numerical data specifically or other types of data as well. Computers can now handle communications networks, interpret text, modify pictures and audio, store and retrieve data, and much more. Being electronic circuits, computers are capable of all of these tasks and more by translating them into a mathematical language.

Differences: Bacterial Computing and Computers

The following table highlights the major differences between Bacterial Computing and Computers −

Characteristics	Bacterial Computing	Computers
Basics	The term "bacterial computing" describes the creation and usage of bacterial computers to address difficult mathematical challenges. Synthetic biology includes the notion of "bacterial computing," which is based on the fact that live organisms can adapt to their surroundings. Bacterial computing is a demonstration of the feasibility of employing microorganisms to solve computer issues.	A computer's original purpose was computation, or the solution of mathematical problems. Each and every one of today's computers is based on a processor that uses Boolean logic and some variation of the Von Neumann architecture. The first purpose of computers was calculation.
Purpose	In order to solve difficult issues, bacterial computing is a well- established field within natural computing. The term "bacterial computing" was invented with the intention of developing biological machines to address pressing issues in engineering and research. Bacterial computing was previously only an idea in the minds of science fiction authors and fans, but it is now becoming a technical reality. By the use of plasmids for efficient communication, these computers are able to complete complex computational operations.	Computers can do a lot of other things, such as store and retrieve data, managing communications networks, process texts, and manipulate images and sound.
Concept	In the bacterial computing paradigm, DNA sequences carry the data to be processed, and bacterial conjugation is used as a means of bacterial communication. DNA molecules can be transferred from one cell to another via conjugation. Bacterial computing is the concept of creating a computer without needing silicon.	It's true that a computer's CPU can conduct millions of computations per second, but at its core is a system that can only operate in sequential mode and, consequently, can only manage sequential inputs.

Characteristics

Bacterial Computing

Computers

Basics

The term "bacterial computing" describes the creation and usage of bacterial computers to address difficult mathematical challenges. Synthetic biology includes the notion of "bacterial computing," which is based on the fact that live organisms can adapt to their surroundings.

Bacterial computing is a demonstration of the feasibility of employing microorganisms to solve computer issues.

A computer's original purpose was computation, or the solution of mathematical problems.

Each and every one of today's computers is based on a processor that uses Boolean logic and some variation of the Von Neumann architecture. The first purpose of computers was calculation.

Purpose

In order to solve difficult issues, bacterial computing is a well- established field within natural computing. The term "bacterial computing" was invented with the intention of developing biological machines to address pressing issues in engineering and research.

Bacterial computing was previously only an idea in the minds of science fiction authors and fans, but it is now becoming a technical reality.

By the use of plasmids for efficient communication, these computers are able to complete complex computational operations.

Computers can do a lot of other things, such as store and retrieve data, managing communications networks, process texts, and manipulate images and sound.

Concept

In the bacterial computing paradigm, DNA sequences carry the data to be processed, and bacterial conjugation is used as a means of bacterial communication.

DNA molecules can be transferred from one cell to another via conjugation. Bacterial computing is the concept of creating a computer without needing silicon.

It's true that a computer's CPU can conduct millions of computations per second, but at its core is a system that can only operate in sequential mode and, consequently, can only manage sequential inputs.

Conclusion

Bacterial computing and computers are two distinct computing systems with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Bacterial computing offers scalability, energy-efficiency, and the ability to perform tasks in unique environments, while computers offer speed, precision, and versatility.

The choice between the two will depend on the specific needs of the task at hand, and both will continue to play an important role in the future of computing.

Vineet Nanda

Updated on: 17-Apr-2023

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