RNA-based computation in live cells

Man-made molecular ‘computers’ that operate inside live cells will enable unprecedented level of control over cellular physiology. A promising approach to building these computers uses RNA molecules and RNA-based regulation. RNA naturally lends itself to create ‘digital’ molecular networks that embody standardized (normal) forms of logic functions. The network's inputs, that may or may not be inverted by single-input NOT logic gates, feed into multi-input AND gates whose outputs are in turn integrated in a multi-input OR gate. Below I review recent steps that have been taken toward implementing these networks with allosteric riboswitches and ribozymes in bacteria and yeast, and RNAi in mammalian cells. I also propose how to co-opt recently discovered additional RNA regulation mechanisms into future construction efforts.