Technology

DNA data storage is an emerging technology that uses deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) —the molecule that stores biological genetic information—to store digital data . It holds immense potential due to DNA's density, stability, and longevity. 🧬 What Is DNA Data Storage? DNA data storage involves encoding binary digital data (0s and 1s) into sequences of the four DNA nucleotides: A (Adenine) T (Thymine) C (Cytosine) G (Guanine) 📦 Example: Binary 010011 → DNA code TAGCGA (via a specific encoding scheme) 🔄 How It Works – Basic Process Encoding : Digital data is converted into a DNA sequence using algorithms that ensure biological stability (e.g., avoiding long repeats, GC-content balance). Synthesis : DNA strands are chemically synthesized in the lab based on the encoded sequences. Storage : The synthetic DNA is dried and stored in cold, dry conditions—it can last centuries . Reading (Sequencing) : To retrieve data, the DNA is sequenced and dec...

DNA Data Storage is an emerging technology that encodes digital data into synthetic DNA strands — leveraging biology to store massive amounts of information in an extremely compact, durable, and energy-efficient form. 🧬 What Is DNA Data Storage? At its core, DNA data storage translates binary data (0s and 1s) into the four nucleotides of DNA: A (Adenine) T (Thymine) C (Cytosine) G (Guanine) Example : Binary 110010 → mapped to nucleotides → AGTCGA The synthesized DNA is stored physically, and when needed, it’s read back using DNA sequencing technology. 🧠 Why Use DNA for Data Storage? Feature DNA Traditional Media Density 1 gram of DNA can store ~215 petabytes Much lower Durability Lasts 1,000+ years (if stored properly) Decades or less Energy Use Passive storage; no power needed Requires power to maintain Size Extremely compact Large relative to capacity DNA is nature’s storage medium , used by cells to encode genetic instructions — and it's proven ...