Boolean and fuzzy logic gates based on the interaction of flindersine with bovine serum albumin and tryptophan

The naturally occurring photochromic compound, flindersine (FL), interplays with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and tryptophan (Trp). The intermolecular forces that establish between the couples FL/BSA and FL/Trp exert mutual effects on their photobehavior. These reciprocal effects can be exploited, in the field of molecular computing, to implement specific binary logic gates based on chemical inputs, physical outputs, and UV photons as power supply. Moreover, the smooth dependence of BSA and Trp fluorescence quantum yields on addition of FL moles (n(FL)) and temperature (T), allows us to process fuzzy logic. The synergistic action of the two inputs (n(FL) and T) allows the fuzzy AND logic gate to be implemented.