Scientists study the potential of fighting viruses using ‘biocomputers’

NEW YORK When a virus infects a cell, it injects its RNA into the cell’s interior and forces it to churn out copies of itself. According to results of a study published in the latest issue of the journal Science, however, researchers have found possible a way to make “biocomputers” that perform a similar action, but instead help the body.

The researchers in the study said biocomputers could be used to deliver drugs to cancer cells or release drugs at certain times.

That won’t happen for a while, though. The researchers used their biocomputers detect drug compounds in yeast cells, and they have found other researchers to collaborate with them on animal studies.