The next evolution: programmable smart pills that tailor medical treatments in response to signals from individual cells.<\/p>
The preprint server arXiv <\/em>recently published a paper<\/a> describing work that could lead to the creation of such pills — and they have to potential to forever change what it means to be human.<\/p> On Wednesday, MIT Tech Review <\/em>ran a compelling overview<\/a> of the research. According to that report, researchers from the University of Chicago figured out a way to trick strands of DNA into behaving like switches — a development in a field known as molecular computation.<\/p> The hope is that we can combine these switches into logic gates — the same basic computational building blocks that power the electronics in your computer or smartphone.<\/p> Eventually, the Chicago researchers imagine, we could incorporate those DNA-powered computers into pills, programming them to keep watch on our bodies and release medication<\/span>s<\/b> in response to signs of distress from individual cells.<\/span><\/p> This research is interesting on a number of levels.<\/p> Not only could it lead to incredible medical treatments, it also conjures up visions of a future in which tiny computers reside alongside the natural cells and microflora in the human body — a development that could call into question what exactly it means to be human.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>DNA-Based Molecular Computing Will Pave the Way for Programmable Pills<\/a> [MIT Tech Review<\/em>]<\/p> More on smart pills: Edible Tech Is Finally Useful, Is Here to Help You Poop<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> Read the original here: Pill Pusher Smart pills can already\u00a0 track whether you\u2019re taking your medication and help regulate your bowel movements . The next evolution:\u00a0programmable smart pills that tailor medical treatments in response to signals from individual cells Continue reading Molecular Computation<\/h2>
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Get Ready for Pills Programmed to Respond to Your Cells’ Individual Needs<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"