Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Maynooth Researchers Build a DNA Computer That Needs No Continuous Power
Researchers at Maynooth University in Ireland built a computer that uses DNA to perform mathematical calculations.
It works in a small amount of water and salt, where DNA strands interact and form a structure that represents the answer.
The system added 10 and 3 in 30 seconds, and it can also multiply and divide.
After a small amount of heat starts the process, it can calculate without a continuous supply of electricity.
It is slower than a silicon computer, and some calculations involving larger numbers took up to 14 hours, but the team says it is fast compared with other DNA computers.
The system can be reused for up to 25 calculations, and the researchers see possible future uses in energy-efficient computing, long-term data storage and disease detection inside cells.
A European Innovation Council-funded project at Maynooth aims to develop new ways to compute and store data using DNA.
Researchers at Maynooth University developed a DNA computer that can perform calculations without a continuous electricity supply.
The system uses interacting DNA strands in liquid to produce answers, rather than silicon chips.
It added 10 and 3 in 30 seconds and can also multiply and divide.
The researchers ran ten programs, including computations involving 100-bit numbers, and the system performed up to 25 calculations in a row.
The study was published in Nature and points to possible uses in energy-efficient computing and long-term data storage.
- Who
- Researchers at Maynooth University, including Dr Abeer Eshra and Professor Damien Woods.
- What
- They developed a DNA computer that performs calculations through molecular interactions without continuous power.
- When
- The study was published on 16 September 2026.
- Where
- Maynooth University in Ireland; the calculations were carried out in a test tube.
- Why
- The research explores alternative forms of computing, with possible applications in energy-efficient computation and long-term data storage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study, “A thermodynamically favoured molecular computer,” was published in Nature.
SciTechDaily published its report on the Maynooth University DNA computer.
- Calculation time
- Added 10 and 3 in 30 seconds
- Programs tested
- 10
- Largest computation type reported
- 100-bit computations
- Reusability
- Up to 25 different calculations in a row
- Research support
- €4 million European Innovation Council grant
What people are saying
A small droplet of liquid contains billions, and sometimes trillions, of DNA strands. These strands interact with one another to produce a result.
The reaction happens fast in the test tube, but not as fast as silicon, nor is it intended to be. But compared to other DNA computers, ours is the fastest.
One key innovation is that the system naturally finds that answer without needing continuous energy inputs.
Silicon-based computers use so much energy – 23% of Ireland’s electricity goes into computing and data storage.
Sources
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