Genesis Machines

Description

The next generation of computers are coming - and they're like nothing we've seen before. Scientists are turning away from silicon chips and instead are using living systems to build machines that could change the world forever. Cells, gels and DNA strands are the 'wetware' of the twenty-first century. Imagine taking cells from a cancer patient and programming them to be able to detect disease and then prompt the body to cure itself. Or clothes woven with microchips, where nanofibres and living cells combine to form wearable bio-weapons detection systems. Both revolutionary applications are closer than we think. Some scientists are pushing the boundaries even further by creating synthetic biology: the ultimage scrap-heap challenge, where brand new creatures are engineered in the laboratory.

Dr Martyn Amos was awarded the world's first Ph.D. in DNA computing; he is currently a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Mathematics at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. His webpage is http://www.martynamos.com

"'Biocomputing is perhaps the most fascinating and potentially important area of science there is at the moment, and this book is an excellent introduction.' Professor Richard Jones, FRS, University of Sheffield 'Amos has witnessed the early years of this nascent science and writes about them with affection and enthusiasm' Sunday Times 'An eye-opening presentation... Amos makes the science accessible, with well-written and nicely structured explanations. It's clear that this field will continue to throw up dramatic advances.' New Statesman"