Design and implementation of computational systems based on programmed mutagenesis.

In a new system for DNA computation called programmed mutagenesis, DNA strands are rewritten according to 'rules' that are sequence specific. In a programmed mutagenesis reaction DNA sequences undergo programmed changes, and these changes are implemented by an in-vitro mutagenesis system that is based on thermal cycling the rewriting reaction. We describe experimental results that demonstrate the key aspects of programmed mutagenesis. These results include the creation of full-length product DNA molecules that have embedded rewriting, the ability for later sequence changes to depend on earlier sequence changes, and the ability for multiple oligonucleotides to be active in close proximity on a template sequence. We also discuss the application of programmed mutagenesis to computational problems.