DNA data storage: Genetic code to carry the world’s digital information

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DNA data storage: Genetic code to carry the world’s digital information

DNA data storage: Genetic code to carry the world’s digital information

Subheading text
DNA data storage is a sustainable new technology that can potentially store the world’s digital footprint in a small space.
    • Author:
    • Author name
      Quantumrun Foresight
    • December 14, 2021

    Insight summary

    DNA data storage, a sustainable and compact method of storing large amounts of data, could transform how we handle digital information. As this technology becomes more accessible, it could provide a durable and secure way to store everything, from personal photos to critical national archives. The wider implications of this shift could range from creating new job opportunities in biotechnology to reducing electronic waste, reshaping our digital landscape in the process.

    DNA data storage context

    DNA data storage refers to keeping digital data stored within the high-density molecules that store genetic information. DNA-based storage has multiple benefits: it’s sustainable, compact, and can easily store large amounts of data. DNA molecules are also highly stable and can be read, interpreted, and copied with ease. 

    The world’s data is stored in gigantic data centers, often as large as football fields, scattered across the world. As the global need for data storage increases, more extensive data centers and vast amounts of energy become essential to accommodate digital information storage. The mounting capital and maintenance costs required to feed the world’s data storage appetite has created a need for more sustainable data storage alternatives, like DNA storage. 

    DNA storage requires synthesis, sequencing, and embedding of codes to encode up to 17 exabytes of information per gram. Theoretically, that means a coffee mug full of DNA could store the world’s digital information. Scientists can already store music, videos, pictures, and text in DNA. However, an easy way to sift through DNA data is essential in making DNA data storage a viable storage alternative. 

    Disruptive impact 

    As DNA data storage technology becomes more affordable and accessible, people might be able to store their entire digital lives - from photos and videos to medical records and personal documents - in a speck of DNA. This feat could provide a solution to the growing concern of digital data loss due to hardware failure or obsolescence. Furthermore, it could offer a more sustainable and space-efficient method of preserving personal histories for future generations, as DNA can last for thousands of years if properly stored.

    For businesses, DNA data storage could offer a competitive edge in the era of big data. Companies generate vast amounts of data daily, from customer interactions to internal processes, and the ability to store this data compactly and durably could be a game-changer. For instance, tech giants like Google or Amazon could store exabytes of data in a space no larger than a standard office room, drastically reducing their physical footprint and energy consumption. Moreover, the longevity of DNA storage could ensure the preservation of valuable company data.

    DNA data storage could also play a crucial role in preserving national archives and critical information. Governments hold vast amounts of historical, legal, and demographic data that require long-term storage. DNA data storage could provide a solution that is not only compact and durable but also resistant to cyber threats, as DNA data cannot be hacked in the traditional sense.

    Implications of DNA data storage

    Wider implications of DNA data storage may include: 

    • Helping future exabyte data facilities taper their energy and land expenditure by converting information to a DNA format. 
    • Creating new types of jobs for scientists in Information Technology (IT) companies to assist with managing DNA-based IT and storage solutions. 
    • Indirectly developing a greater understanding of DNA molecules, and helping scientists treat genetic disorders in medical fields (for applications like curing cystic fibrosis). 
    • A new wave of digital inequality, as those who can afford to use this technology would have superior data preservation and security, potentially widening the digital divide.
    • Increased investment in research and development in DNA technology, generating new job opportunities in biotechnology.
    • New legislation to regulate the use and access of DNA-stored data, leading to a redefinition of data privacy and security norms.
    • A significant reduction in electronic waste as the need for traditional storage devices decreases, contributing to a more sustainable technological landscape.

    Questions to consider

    • Do you think DNA data storage will ever be cheap enough for a regular consumer to purchase? 
    • Are there ethical problems that scientists need to worry about in their pursuit of mastery over genetic molecules? 

    Insight references

    The following popular and institutional links were referenced for this insight: