Researchers have been focusing on the potential of DNA as a data storage medium due to its capacity to store vast amounts of information in a minuscule space.
In the form of DNA, nature shows how data can be stored in a space-saving and long-term manner. Wrzburgs chair of bioinformatics is developing DNA chips for computer technology.
The hereditary molecule DNA is renowned for its ability to store vast amounts of information over long periods of time in an incredibly small space. For a good ten years, scientists have therefore been pursuing the goal of developing DNA chips for computer technology, especially for the long-term archiving of data. Such chips would be superior to conventional silicon-based chips in terms of storage density, longevity, and sustainability.
Four recurring basic building blocks are found in a DNA strand. A specific sequence of these blocks can be used to encode information, just as nature does. To build a DNA chip, the correspondingly coded DNA must be synthesized and stabilized. If this works well, the information is preserved for a very long time researchers assume several thousand years. The information can be retrieved by automatically reading out and decoding the sequence of the four basic building blocks.
Information can be stored in the form of DNA on chips made of semiconducting nanocellulose. Light-controlled proteins read the information. Credit: Chair of Bioinformatics / University of Wrzburg
The fact that digital DNA data storage with high capacity and a long lifespan is feasible has been demonstrated several times in recent years, says Professor Thomas Dandekar, head of the Chair of Bioinformatics at Julius-Maximilians-Universitt (JMU) Wrzburg. But the storage costs are high, close to 400,000 US dollars per megabyte, and the information stored in the DNA can only be retrieved slowly. It takes hours to days, depending on the amount of data.
These challenges must be overcome to make DNA data storage more applicable and marketable. Suitable tools for this are light-controlled enzymes and protein network design software. Thomas Dandekar and his chair team members Aman Akash and Elena Bencurova discuss this in a recent review in the journal Trends in Biotechnology.
Dandekars team is convinced that DNA has a future as a data store. In the journal, the JMU researchers show how a combination of molecular biology, nanotechnology, novel polymers, electronics, and automation, coupled with systematic development, could make DNA data storage useful for everyday use possible in a few years.
At the JMU Biocentre, Dandekars team is developing DNA chips made of semiconducting, bacterially produced nanocellulose. With our proof of concept, we can show how current electronics and computer technology can be partially replaced by molecular biological components, says the professor. In this way, sustainability, full recyclability, and high robustness even against electromagnetic pulses or power failures could be achieved, but also a high storage density of up to one billion gigabytes per gram of DNA.
Thomas Dandekar rates the development of DNA chips as highly relevant: We will only last as a civilization in the longer term if we make the leap into this new type of sustainable computer technology combining molecular biology with electronics and new polymer technology.
What is important for humanity, he said, is to move to a circular economy in harmony with planetary boundaries and the environment. We need to achieve this in 20 to 30 years. Chip technology is an important example of this, but the sustainable technologies to produce chips without e-waste and environmental pollution are not yet mature. Our nanocellulose chip concept makes a valuable contribution to this. In the new paper, we critically examined our concept and advanced it further with current innovations from research.
Dandekars team is currently working on combining the DNA chips made of semiconducting nanocellulose even better with the designer enzymes they have developed. The enzymes also need to be further improved.
In this way, we want to achieve better and better control of the DNA storage medium and be able to store even more on it, but also save costs and thus step by step enable practical use as a storage medium in everyday life.
Reference: How to make DNA data storage more applicable by Aman Akash, Elena Bencurova and Thomas Dandekar, 15 August 2023, Trends in Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.07.006
The work described is financially supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Free State of Bavaria. Important cooperation partners are Sergey Shityakov, professor at the State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO) in Saint Petersburg, Daniel Lopez, PhD, from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and Dr. Gnter Roth, University of Freiburg and BioCopy GmbH (Emmendingen).
Read the original post:
DNA Chips: The Billion Gigabyte Storage Solution of Tomorrow - SciTechDaily
- DNA identifies last known remains of victims of notorious Green River Killer, cops say - Miami Herald - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- UNE to study why rare lobsters have strange-colored shells - Spectrum News - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- DNA evidence identifies last known victim of Green River Killer almost 40 years later - NBC Right Now - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- New bill would give California parents more control over whether state can store their kid's DNA - CBS News - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Lucas County Sheriff's Office doing advanced testing on DNA found at site of 2011 Clarke and Straub murders - WTOL - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Last known remains connected to the Green River Killer identified through DNA | WTGS - Fox28 Savannah - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- 5 Best Ancestry DNA Tests 2024 To Help You Learn More About Your Health - GLAMOUR UK - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- 11 Investigates: Lucas County Sheriff's Office doing advanced testing on DNA found at site of 2011 Clarke and Straub murders - WTOL - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Researchers improve blood tests' ability to detect and monitor cancer - MIT News - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- DNA test approved for Duxbury's Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her 3 children - The Patriot Ledger - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- 1,650th victim of 9/11 identified through advanced DNA testing - FOX 17 West Michigan News - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- We Think Cavco Industries (NASDAQ:CVCO) Might Have The DNA Of A Multi-Bagger - Yahoo Finance - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- DNA From the Ocean's 'Twilight Zone' Could Lead to New Lifesaving Drugs, Scientists Say - Smithsonian Magazine - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Last known remains connected to the Green River Killer identified through DNA - KOMO News - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- 9/11 victim identified as John Ballantine Niven of Oyster Bay with help of DNA technology - WABC-TV - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Scott Peterson has every right to DNA test: Attorney from case - NewsNation Now - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- DNA from stone age chewing gum sheds light on diet and disease in Scandinavia's ancient hunter-gatherers - The Conversation - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Barbara Lee responds to Nikki Haley: Racism is in the DNA of this country - The Hill - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- DB Cooper 'will finally be identified' after 53 years due to huge DNA breakthrough - LADbible - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Dog Owners Who Abandon Poops To Be Found Using DNA Tests in Italy - Newsweek - January 23rd, 2024 [January 23rd, 2024]
- Scientists gather bobcat DNA from paw prints - KJZZ - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Discovering Fusions Requires More Than DNA Testing in GI Cancers - OncLive - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Largest-ever ocean DNA study uncovers mysteries of marine life - Earth.com - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- 1st-ever ancient case of Turner syndrome, with just 1 X chromosome instead of 2, found in ancient DNA - Livescience.com - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Minnesota Mother Calls on NYS to Allow DNA Testing Finger Lakes Daily News - Finger Lakes Daily News - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- DNA Didn't Match Marcellus Williams. Missouri May Fast-Track Execution Anyway. - The Intercept - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Ancient DNA From Eurasian Herders Sheds Light on the Origins of Multiple Sclerosis - Smithsonian Magazine - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- DNA's hotel toh kuyabeh mirrors bird flight undulations in tulum - Designboom - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Research into ancient DNA sheds new light on cause of Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases - University of Oxford - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Ancient DNA reveals reason for high MS and Alzheimer's rates in Europe - University of Cambridge news - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- TIME-seq reduces time and cost of DNA methylation measurement for epigenetic clock construction - Nature.com - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Gilgo Serial Killer Suspect Rex Heuermann Tied to Slaying by DNA From Daughter's Can of Coffee: Prosecutors - The Messenger - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- DNA evidence leads to arrest of Denton sexual assault suspect - The Cross Timbers Gazette - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Ancient DNA reveals reason for high multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's rates in Europe - EurekAlert - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- New technique identifies earliest cases of genetic disorders from ancient DNA - University of Oxford - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Ancient DNA could be hiding all kinds of health secrets - Deccan Herald - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Ancient DNA reveals reason for high MS and Alzheimer's rates in Europe - ScienceBlog.com - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Supreme Court seeks government's view on DNA profiling of unidentified bodies - IndiaTimes - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Prosecution Ordered to Release Portion of DNA Evidence to Kohberger's Defense Team - bigcountrynewsconnection.com - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Judge orders more DNA disclosure in University of Idaho murder case - KXLY Spokane - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Cas9-induced targeted integration of large DNA payloads in primary human T cells via homology-mediated end-joining ... - Nature.com - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- The DNA glycosylase NEIL2 is protective during SARS-CoV-2 infection - Nature.com - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- How an immune response is driven by one letter difference in DNA - Medical Xpress - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Tracy Morgan Discovered He Was Related to Nas After DNA Test - PEOPLE - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Scientists testify about DNA in third week of Aguirre trial - The Spokesman Review - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- DNA metabarcoding focusing on the plankton community: an effective approach to reconstruct the paleo-environment ... - Nature.com - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Advancement in DNA Technology and Tenacity of Cold Case Detective Identifies Victim in 37-year-old Homicide - hellowoodlands.com - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Integrating DNA methylation and gene expression data in a single gene network using the iNETgrate package ... - Nature.com - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Forensic scientist testifies about evidence contamination at state lab in 1986, says knowledge of DNA has since ... - The Spokesman Review - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Tracy Morgan Discovers He Is Related To Nas Through DNA Test - BET - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- DNA discovery opens door to tailored medicine for Indigenous Australians | Australian National University - ANU - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Tracy Morgan Started Crying After Learning Hes Related To Nas Through A DNA Test - TODAY - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Electric eel zaps do more than just stun they can alter the DNA of their victims, study suggests - Salon - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Blueface Says He Took a DNA Test That Proves He's Not the Father of Chrisean Rock's Son: 'Thank You Jesus' - Complex - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Altina Wildlife Park to use DNA tests to find mystery father of black-and-white ruffed lemur triplets - ABC News - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- In the Shadow of Rome: Ancient DNA Recasts Balkan History - SciTechDaily - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Even microbes felt the impact of ancient climate transitions, McMaster DNA researchers find - Brighter World - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Clarence 'Red' Wilson cold case murder: DNA helps Montgomery County detective break 37-year unsolved Texas homicide - KTRK-TV - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- How Construction Companies Can Make Diversity Part of Their DNA - For Construction Pros - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- DNA analysis of bat droppings shows astonishingly high number of insect species - Phys.org - December 14th, 2023 [December 14th, 2023]
- Co-Lin football's blue-collar DNA on display in huge road win at Gulf ... - Dailyleader - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- DNA methylation: The hidden mechanism enabling plants to adapt ... - EurekAlert - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Neanderthals carried genes acquired from ancient interactions with ... - Penn Today - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- DNA meythlation clocks and their limitations - Lifespan.io News - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Neanderthal DNA may shape how sensitive you are to pain, genetic ... - Livescience.com - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- OvaPrint a cell-free DNA methylation liquid biopsy for the risk ... - Cancer Discovery - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- After being freed once, Ohio man languishes on death row - Ohio Capital Journal - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Maximizing ROI With Cattle DNA Testing - AG INFORMATION ... - AGInfo Ag Information Network - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Pittsburgh's Opening Night Roster Stays True to Its DNA | Pittsburgh ... - NHL.com - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Indonesia turns to DNA technology to save their sharks - Earth.com - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- There are 750 unidentified human remains in Australia. Could your ... - The Conversation - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- Baltimore Witness - Baltimore Witness - October 13th, 2023 [October 13th, 2023]
- DNA's 'topography' influences where cancer-causing mutations appear - Livescience.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Dog diversity unveiled by international DNA database - Science Daily - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- DNA from UW student attack 'one in one quadrillion' match to suspect - The Capital Times - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Invitation: TAG Heuer popup to showcase its DNA and motorsports - - Deployant - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Ancient Clostridium DNA and variants of tetanus neurotoxins ... - Nature.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- DNA methylation and the opposing NMDAR dysfunction in ... - Nature.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- 'I don't think it's in her DNA': Man who co-authored Murdaugh book with Colleton Co. Clerk of Court discusses allegations - ABC NEWS 4 - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Using DNA to solve a family mystery: 'It brought great comfort to ... - The Irish Times - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]