Molecular shift register and its utilization as an autonomous DNA synthesizer.

A novel algorithmic approach to the synthesis of fairly long DNA molecules with nonrecurring sequences is demonstrated. The scheme exploits chemical embodiment of shift registers (SR) to execute algorithms similar to those used to generate pseudorandom numbers on a computer. Single stranded DNA molecules guide the synthesis of double stranded DNA according to the SR truth table. The SR logic facilitates an exponentially smaller synthesis effort compared with all other strategies. A redundancy based scheme, similar to those used in communication, is utilized to suppress synthesis errors.