Trumpet is short for Transcriptional RNA Universal Multi-Purpose GatE PlaTform. This is presumably because it is slightly sexier to say you play the trumpet than mention anything with the word Transcriptional in it.

Trumpet uses biological enzymes as catalysts for DNA-based molecular computing. Researchers performed logic gate operations, similar to operations done by all computers, in test tubes using DNA molecules.

A positive gate connection resulted in a phosphorescent glow. The DNA creates a circuit, and a fluorescent RNA compound lights up when the circuit is completed, just like a lightbulb when a circuit board is tested.

The Trumpet platform has the simplicity of molecular biocomputing with added signal amplification and programmability and it was reliable for encoding all universal Boolean logic gates (NAND, NOT, NOR, AND, and OR), which are fundamental to programming languages.

Trumpet logic gates can be stacked to build more complex circuits. The team also developed a web-based tool facilitating the design of sequences for the Trumpet platform.

College of Biological Sciences assistant professor Kate Adamala wrote in the paper that Trumpet was a non-living molecular platform, so it did not have most of the problems of live cell engineering.

“We don’t have to overcome evolutionary limitations against forcing cells to do things they don’t want. This gives Trumpet more stability and reliability, with our logic gates avoiding the leakage problems of live cell operations.”

“It could make a lot of long-term neural implants possible. The applications could range from strictly medical, like healing damaged nerve connections or controlling prosthetics, to more sci-fi applications like entertainment, learning, and augmented memory,” she said.

No word as to when it can play Crystalis.