In what appears to be an early proof-of-concept for DNA computing, scientists at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico have created a basic computer, called the MAYA-II, which has a molecular array of YES and AND logic gates made up of 100 DNA circuits.

ENGADGET: Meet MAYA-II, the new DNA computer that can play Tic-Tac-Toe

Risco endeavored to inject molecular biology into computer sciences, having been inspired by a magazine article about a data encryption technique called steganography, the science of communicating in a manner that hides the existence of the communication.

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Such molecular motors, Yurke says, could be used as a way of manufacturing faster computer chips.

FORBES: DNA May Make Computers, Not Run Them

Although Yurke's tweezers are just a proof-of-principle, similar molecular motors might be used to assemble very tiny computer chips.

FORBES: DNA May Make Computers, Not Run Them