---
title: "Self-Replicating “DNA Computers” Are Set to Change Everything"
description: "Scientists now know how to code information into DNA as though it were a hard drive — the problem is, it's really expensive to do."
date: "2017-03-06"
modified: "2017-05-30"
authors:
  - name: "Abby Norman"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/abby"
url: "https://futurism.com/self-replicating-dna-computers-are-set-to-change-everything"
categories:
  - "Computers"
  - "Computing"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "computers"
  - "dna"
  - "quantum"
  - "storage"
---

# Self-Replicating “DNA Computers” Are Set to Change Everything

![Default Futurism featured image](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Futurism-Filler-Image.jpg>)

## DNA: The Blueprint of Computers?

Computers have without a doubt revolutionized modern society. They're everywhere: our offices and homes, our pockets — [even in our ](<http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-family-hub-22-08-cu-ft-counter-depth-4-door-flex-smart-french-door-refrigerator-stainless-steel/4842500.p?skuId=4842500&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=6f3202e1-8ca4-45c2-b6a9-de104f0b295c&ksprof_id=13&ksaffcode=pg214272&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2>)[kitchen appliances](<http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-family-hub-22-08-cu-ft-counter-depth-4-door-flex-smart-french-door-refrigerator-stainless-steel/4842500.p?skuId=4842500&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=6f3202e1-8ca4-45c2-b6a9-de104f0b295c&ksprof_id=13&ksaffcode=pg214272&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2>). As for the next place computer technology could be headed, you already have [the basic component: your DNA. ](<http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/scientists-reveal-new-super-fast-form-of-computer-that-grows-as-it-computes>)It sounds strange, but researchers at the University of Manchester are working on turning strands of DNA into the next basis for computing.

Scientists have actually created a DNA-based computing device that ["grows as it computes](<https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/01/scientists-prove-dna-computer/>)." While our current computers have a finite capacity for computations, DNA computers could be designed to self-replicate, making them able to create more storage as-needed. Computers today have gradually worked up to being able to hold a few terabytes — but DNA computing can work at *[100 billion terabytes](<https://futurism.com/the-next-generation-in-data-storage-our-dna>).* To top it off, [all of that storage ](<https://futurism.com/the-next-generation-in-data-storage-our-dna>)is guaranteed with just *one gram* of DNA. While that's impressive enough on its own, storage isn't the only benefit a DNA computer can provide.

With a self-replicating computer, there's also the advantage of instantaneous computing power. In an interview with [Popular Mechanics](<http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a25491/new-computer-made-of-dna/?src=socialflowTW>), lead researcher Professor Ross D King illustrated a maze with two paths — one leading left and the other leading right. He explained that current “Electronic computers need to choose which path to follow first." On the other hand, a DNA computer "doesn’t need to choose, for it can replicate itself and follow both paths at the same time, thus finding the answer faster."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O-kLA3uEyA

## What's The Catch?

While there are [pioneering companies and individuals](<https://futurism.com/microsofts-testing-dna-storage-1000000000-tb-1-gram>) working on perfecting the system, at the moment coding just 1 megabyte of information into [DNA costs $12,500](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O-kLA3uEyA>). Most information we own contains thousands of megabytes, making encoding information a particularly expensive endeavor to undertake.

However, cost is currently the only drawback to the operation. DNA is not [only the most reliable resource to store information](<https://futurism.com/forget-mammoths-we-could-bring-dinosaurs-and-neanderthals-back-to-life>), but it's also the [best medium to copy information](<http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/scientists-can-make-copies-of-a-gene-6525968>). Just as sequencing a genome[ dropped from $2.7 billion ](<http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/10/unlocking-my-genome-was-it-worth-it.html>)to [a low of $280](<https://futurism.com/genetic-sequencing-now-available-just-280>), experts hope to see a similar trend in encoding computing information in DNA.