New advancements in DNA data storage have emerged, significantly enhancing the efficiency of encoding information into this biological molecule. Researchers have successfully accelerated the process by emulating natural biological mechanisms that regulate gene expression, paving the way for durable and user-friendly DNA data storage technologies.
While a single gram of DNA can potentially hold vast amounts of data—hundreds of millions of gigabytes—the practical application of this technology has faced challenges. One major hurdle is the tedious process of synthesizing DNA molecules “from scratch” to store specific information.
The research team, led by Long Qian from a prestigious university in China, has introduced a more efficient method for data encoding onto DNA.
“A good analogy is using a typewriter versus printing,” explains a noted expert in the field. “This technique allows them to essentially transfer all the information onto the ‘paper’ in one go.”
The team converted long DNA strands into binary code—digital data composed of 1s and 0s—by using prefabricated DNA templates. They added shorter strands like threading beads and employed a chemical reaction to attach methyl groups, designating methylated beads as 1s and unmethylated ones as 0s.
Cells utilize a similar methylation process to structurally modify DNA without altering its essential sequence, effectively storing additional layers of information. The researchers optimized this process for parallel execution by incorporating unique bar codes onto each template, allowing them to inscribe 350 bits of information onto a single DNA sample simultaneously—an operation hundreds of times more efficient than the previous standard.
The team successfully encoded and retrieved images of a panda and an ancient Chinese tiger rubbing, achieving over 97% accuracy in reproduction using a DNA sequencer paired with an error-correcting algorithm.
In an innovative approach, 60 student volunteers engaged with DIY kits designed for storing text in DNA samples. These kits included essential chemistry items and software to translate the input text into encoded data. Remarkably, despite having no prior DNA handling experience, the volunteers maintained error rates below 2%. Qian envisions the emergence of “desktop DNA printers or storage kits for home or small businesses, enabling secure backups of personal data that could endure for centuries.”
Experts indicate that DNA-based storage solutions could become essential for archival purposes, as traditional options like tech discs and magnetic tape may become outdated. The consensus is that DNA sequencing technologies will continue to evolve and improve.
