The field of molecular logic gates originated 25 years ago, when A. P. de Silva published a seminal article in Nature. Stimulated by this ground breaking research, scientists were inspired to join the race to simulate the workings of the fundamental components of integrated circuits using molecules. The rules of this game of mimicry were flexible, and have evolved and morphed over the years. This tutorial review takes a look back on and provides an overview of the birth and growth of the field of molecular logics. Spinning-off from chemosensor research, molecular logic gates quickly proved themselves to be more than intellectual exercises and are now poised for many potential practical applications. The ultimate goal of this vein of research became clearer only recently – to “boldly go where no silicon-based logic gate has gone before” and seek out a new deeper understanding of life inside tissues and cells.

中文翻译：

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分子逻辑门：过去，现在和未来

分子逻辑门的领域起源于25年前，当时AP de Silva在《自然》杂志上发表了一篇开创性的文章。。受这项开创性研究的激励，科学家受到鼓舞，参加了使用分子模拟集成电路基本组件工作的竞赛。这种模仿游戏的规则是灵活的，并且在过去的几年中不断发展变化。本教程回顾回顾了过去，并概述了分子逻辑领域的产生和发展。从化学传感器研究中分离出来的分子逻辑门很快证明了自己不仅仅是智力练习，而且已经准备好用于许多潜在的实际应用。这种研究脉络的最终目标直到最近才变得更加明确-“大胆地走到以前没有硅基逻辑门的地方”，并寻求对组织和细胞内部生命的新的更深刻的理解。