A group of local scientists says it has successfully developed a transistor made from a single molecule.

The team, led by Professor Lee Thak-hee at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, said Thursday that it has developed a “molecular transistor” by adjusting the voltage applied via gold contacts to a benzene molecule.

The team found that a benzene molecule attached to gold contacts behaves just like a silicon transistor.

The team’s findings are significant in that they show that computer circuits can function at the molecular level.

The team published its findings in the recent issue of “Nature.”