# Are there protein-based computational models?

Is there a framework/formalism that defines computational models based on proteins other than Adleman's DNA model or this work by Cherry and Qian?

Edit 2020 (related models/ideas based on DNA):

DNA allows to store large amount of data, it seems to me that the combination of DNA-based memory methods and technologies like CRISPR as computational workers might be an interesting and relevant venue.

Sheth, Ravi U., and Harris H. Wang. "DNA-based memory devices for recording cellular events." Nature Reviews Genetics 19.11 (2018): 718-732.

As mentioned in the answers, $$\pi$$-calculus and bioambinet calculus are relevant here as well:

Membrane Computing is a model that is based on the possibility or not of movement of molecules through membranes; also on possible reactions of these molecules inside a membrane compartment. While this is not specifically talking about proteins, in reality some of these molecules and the channels through which they pass would be proteins.

Here is an overview written by the creator of this model.

Another model possibly involving proteins is Computing by Observing which models the way that a person conducting an experiment extracts information from what she/he sees. The observed process may very well model protein interactions.

There are models of how to compute with arbitrary chemical reactions using molecules that drift around and randomly collide. They crop up in parallel computing models sometimes. It's probably not what you're looking for, but it might be interesting to learn about.

For an example, the ambient calculus. The process calculus wikipedia page includes some others.

• Very nice. This reminds me the immune system.
– 0x90
Oct 7 '20 at 1:31