Figure 1: A directed graph with seven nodes, 14 directed edges, and a unique Hamiltonian path is shown. Leonard Adleman in the 1990s used in vitro DNA techniques to find the unique Hamiltonian path.

3
2
4
1
5
7
6
“Synthetic biology
is a natural fit for
multidisciplinary
research for
undergraduate
students. The
iGEM community
provides a supportive
environment for
teams wishing to
engage in research.”

Adleman checked segments of the correct length for representation of each node and found some segments that corresponded to the unique Hamiltonian path of the directed graph in Figure 1. Adelman’s breakthrough experiment demonstrated the application of biological molecules to solve a computational problem.

In trying to solve the problem in a new way, the students took a different approach. The team, composed of students from two campuses, as well as faculty from the mathematics and biology departments, designed and constructed a proof-of-concept experiment to solve a HPP inside live bacteria.

The team participated in the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition. iGEM began in 2004 with five teams from the U.S. In 2010, there were more than 130 teams from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa that shared information and resources in an effort to advance the field of synthetic biology.

The iGEM community specifically targets undergraduate students because of their creativity and enthusiasm. Each year iGEM students design, build, and test synthetic biology projects with varied applications and present them at the annual iGEM Jamboree held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

HURDLES TO CREATING
A BAC TERIAL COMPUTER

Designing and constructing a bacterial computer to solve any math problem presents several distinct challenges. First, how will the components of the problem be encoded into the DNA of a bacterium? Second, how will the information be manipulated (a necessary component for computation)? Finally, how will the results of the computation be “displayed”?

The students addressed each of these challenges to solve the HPP. The used in this design used living E. coli to find the solution to the HPP, and is shown in Figure 2.