Miniaturized intelligent systems using RNA polymerase as a molecular motor to move and direct molecules of DNA may allow for running billions of automated biology experiments at once, University of Wisconsin-Madison have found.

The motorized molecules steer themselves by sensing “fuel,” a chemical nutrient that draws the molecule in, by temperature, or through nanoscale geometric patterns on the surface of a culture plate.

The technology could aid the development of DNA computing and allow for comprehensively testing millions of potentially therapeutic compounds to speed the development of new drugs.