Biochemical flip-flop memory systems: essential additions to autonomous biocomputing and biosensing systems

This review article is an overview of the current state of the development of biochemical flip-flop memory systems for use with biocomputing. Of particular interest are those developed using chemical and biochemical systems and components, capable of the complete integration into existing biocomputing information processing systems. The integration of memory systems with sophisticated logic “machines” is essential to the advancement of the field of biocomputing, since this combination would allow for the synthesis of a new regime of molecular “devices” capable of real-time biochemical analysis, coupled with long-term data storage. The specific biochemical realizations of the SR, T and D flip-flops are discussed and further explanations are provided for their use of specifically chosen enzyme pathways. Lastly, perspectives are given on the concept of scalability, and the intercalation of these memory units into existing chemical and biochemical information processing paradigms.