What if the next technological revolution lay within our own biology? A team of researchers has successfully used DNA as a data storage medium, with a method inspired by old printing techniques.
The idea isn't new: DNA, capable of storing immense amounts of information in a tiny space, has long intrigued scientists. One cubic centimeter of DNA could theoretically hold up to 10 exabytes of data, or billions of gigabytes, and retain it for millennia. However, traditional techniques, relying on laborious synthesis, have slowed this race.
The innovation, developed by a team from Peking University, is based on methylation. This chemical modification allows binary information to be directly encoded on DNA without altering its sequence. A methylated base corresponds to a 1, while an unmodified base represents a 0.
Inspired by natural epigenetic inheritance, the researchers designed a system in which fragments of DNA, called bricks, assemble to form a unique pattern. Each of these bricks is made up of 24 nucleotides (including cytosine sites for methylation) and encodes one bit of information, creating a stable and readable set through advanced sequencing technologies.
The process is reminiscent of printing presses: starting from a universal DNA template, the bricks, comparable to movable type or ink stamps, are aligned to form the data. An enzyme, methyltransferase, acts as the inker, printing information onto the DNA matrix.
The method's efficiency was demonstrated through visual tests. The researchers successfully encoded and retrieved a complex image of a tiger and a photo of a panda, totaling nearly 270,000 bits of data. Whereas older methods took hours, this technique can simultaneously process 350 bits in just a few minutes.
The accessibility of this innovation is another feat. A platform named iDNAdrive allowed 60 completely novice volunteers to encode and retrieve their own data. By simply mixing reagents in a tube, they achieved results with an accuracy rate of 98.58%, making this technology accessible far beyond research laboratories.
The researchers now aim to improve the method, particularly by increasing writing speed and exploring other DNA modifications to enhance storage density. Should these ambitions be realized, DNA could one day replace current hard drives for applications ranging from digital archives to sensitive data.
This technique, combining biology and computing, could redefine how we preserve information while offering a sustainable solution to the exploding demand for storage.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND