Preface

Excerpt

In this special issue of Natural Computing the papers cover a diverse set of abstract, mathematical models of molecular systems that are able to self-assemble into designed structures and to perform prescribed computations. While some of the models are abstractions based on physical systems that have been experimentally realized via systems of synthetic DNA molecules, others represent novel directions for potential implementations of related molecular systems. However, the unifying theme for all of them is that they seek to explore the mathematical powers and limitations of molecular systems to build precise and complex structures and to perform distributed computations in chemical environments, as well as the abilities of researchers to efficiently and effectively design and analyze such systems. These results, and others like them, help to guide experimental directions and to provide a road map for future explorations that may lead to even greater control over matter at molecular levels, and diverse applications that today are out of reach. …