This book investigates the feasibility and implementation of using living biological cells as functional components within computational logic circuits. Martyn Amos, a researcher in the field of unconventional computing, synthesizes the intersection of molecular biology and computer science. He argues that the genome functions as a network of computational components, proposing that this biological architecture can be repurposed to build synthetic logic systems. The text provides a framework for understanding how biological entities can be engineered to perform tasks traditionally reserved for silicon-based hardware.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for those exploring the early stages of synthetic biology and unconventional computing. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which assumes a baseline knowledge of molecular biology and logic design.